EATING DISORDERS NH Explore 7/8/15 Ken Yeow
Overview WHAT are they? WHY do they happen? HOW can people be helped?
WHAT
Main types ANOREXIA NERVOSA (AN) BULIMIA NERVOSA (BN) AN with BN symptoms Atypical AN/BN
Core features Weight – BMI; trend Eating – Under; over Behaviours – Vomiting; laxatives; exercise etc. Thinking/feeling – Fear; self-evaluation; distortion; preoccupation etc. Complications – Acute; chronic (periods, bones etc.)
Estimated frequency Inc. /10 5 pop./yr Prev. /10 5 pop. NI New cases/yr NI Existing cases AN BN Atypical ‘Atleastasmany’ TOTAL
WHY
Quote ‘It’s not about food, it’s about feelings’ (and much more... self-esteem, identity, control etc.)
One Model For Understanding Early experience Emotional problems Attempted solution Solution becomes a problem
It serves a purpose What is being AVOIDED? – Negative emotions; frightening change; family disruption etc. What is being GAINED? – Control, safety/security; attention, regard; self-esteem, value; achievement, specialness; anxiety relief, mood lift etc. What is being EXPRESSED? – Anger/frustration, guilt, self-hatred (self- punishment) etc.
HOW
Principles of helping 1)Engagement/motivation 2)Risk assessment/management 3)Nutritional restoration 4)Psychological therapy 5)Medication sometimes 6)Functional/occupational recovery 7)Support for/from family/friends
1) Engagement/motivation Curious Compassionate Containing
2) Risk assessment/management Physical, psychiatric, social Point in time and trends Multidisciplinary team (including patient and family/friends)
3) Nutritional restoration Essential priority Individualised approach ‘Food as medicine’
4) Psychological therapy Symptoms/causes Structure, focus, timing Supervision, reflection
5) Medication sometimes Helpful in BN Symptomatic treatment in AN For co-occurring psychiatric conditions
6) Functional/occupational recovery ‘Getting a life’ Basic living needs/skills Structured, purposeful activity
7) Support for/from family/friends Young person vs. adult Working together against the illness Communication, communication, communication
How you can help Mild-moderate BN – ‘Guided self-help’ (‘Overcoming’ books) – Encourage to see GP for physical monitoring and ?medication Severe BN and AN – Usually referred, via GP (collaboration, advocacy) General support – Friendship, ‘normality’, distraction, spiritual help, encourage treatment engagement etc.
From a Christian perspective Christians not immune! Avoid superficial/overly spiritual answers Real answers to deeper questions – Self-esteem, identity, control etc.
We have good news! Personal Freedom: How The Gospel Can Be Good For Your Mental Health (
Divine resources The Word of God (truth) The Spirit of God (power) The people of God (community)
Other resources See handout