"Help with eating disorder"

3 years ago I was in the Phoenix centre inpatient unit in Cambridge for adolescents with eating disorders. I doubt I would be here now if it wasn't for all of their help. The service provided was excellent, at first I was dreading going in but the nurses and doctors were amazing, friendly, and so helpful. I honestly couldn't have asked for a better service. They were always there for me and were interested in how I was feeling. They were caring and it was like having another family.

I also received outpatient treatment at thurlow house in kings Lynn, Norfolk. There I met some of the loveliest people ever, including my nurses in the intensive support team, who would frequently start work early to come and help me eat breakfast. When I was in hospital, they would often come and see me more than once a day, and I was never left alone for a meal. My psychiatrist who I miss dearly, even offered to drive me and my suitcase down to the Phoenix centre if my mum was unable. I had a few negative encounters with general paediatric consultants who I think perceived my anorexia as easily fixable by 'just eating a mars bar' and who I felt were getting sick of having to look after me, but I feel this could easily be improved by making them more aware that mental disorders are just as life threatening as physical ones.

Overall my experience with the nhs has been really good and I am now waiting for my referral to adult services, who I am sure will be just as helpful as the adolescent!