"Eating Disorder Recovery"

During my time at university I have dealt with an eating disorder. I was first referred in Liverpool by my student doctor to the Eating Disorder specialist team, for assessment. Of course one of the hardest steps to receiving help is to admit that firstly there is a problem. The nature of such an illness means that you can be under the illusion that nothing is wrong. So to be faced with the prospect of a six month wait for one-to-one treatment can feel disappointing, once you have taken that huge step. The wait for treatment has become a inevitable when it comes to adult mental health, however for eating disorders time is precious, people deteriorate very quickly, early intervention makes successful recovery much more likely.

The waiting times for treatment are unfortunately difficult to change without the right funding, however in my experience; collaboration between primary and secondary care can create a much more supportive environment for eating disorder sufferers.In my experience Brownlow Health have hit and missed at different points. At low points I have had to explain my eating disorder to health professionals who should be the experts, I have had the experience of my GP leaving the practice and not being told, I have had to ask for blood tests when primary care should be monitoring my physical health (deficiencies etc) and overall felt a lack of understanding of me and my needs. With exceptions, I have had the pleasure of meeting one doctor who took an interest after my persistence, who restored my faith.

I am now a graduate and have not yet received one to one therapy for my eating disorder, group therapy was given as a fill in whilst I waited. This was both successful in some ways and unhelpful in others. I was told that once the group therapy treatment had ended I was able to review my position, moving forward. During the last session (an already traumatic and stressful situation), I was apparently told that by a certain date I would have to make a decision about further therapy. Of course I wanted further solo treatment, I had waited six months! ! ! At this stage I was anxious as this was the last session, I didn't feel ready, so of course I didn't take every word that was said, on board. There was no follow up information given once we had finished the last session and had time to process, no reminder of how the process would be carried on. I was vulnerable and scared.

Because I had not taken in much of what was said that day or reminded afterwards, I rang the Rathbone Hospital unknowingly, to ask when my follow up appointment would be. This was the point of which I was told I had been discharged from the service (you can imagine my horror), as It was my responsibility to make that appointment. After six months of waiting, I was back to where I started; still starving myself, purging whatever I nourished my body with, but I was ready for change and I was failed by the system.

With greater communication between my GP, the adult service and myself I would have seen someone on a one to one basis, as I needed. Three years later I have found recovery by myself, I have achieved all the goals I thought were impossible, and I am yet to receive the help I waited for, deserved and needed.

Something needs to change.