 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Eating Disorder Units
The Eating Disorders Unit has been and continues to provide comprehensive and specialized treatment programmes for
Anorexia
Anorexia Nervosa is an illness which presents weight loss and changes in eating habits
Bulimia
Bulimia presents with a chaotic eating pattern of bingeing with vomiting.
Binge Eating Disorder
Underlying the above is a severe psychological illness with many features of emotional disturbances. Through regular review, the programme continually incorporates current international trends as well as components that are found to be effective to many of the patients that have attended since our inception.
Treatment is designed to
- Reverse weight loss
- Normalize the eating pattern
- Achieve stabilization at a normal weight
- Encourage a healthy attitude towards food
At the same time the emotional issues, that have been suppressed by the illness, will emerge. The success of treatment will depend ultimately on your ability to cope with these difficulties and emerge from the grip of emotions that may, in the early stages of treatment, feel overpowering.
The In - Patient programme involves a group structure that focuses on food and weight management as well as prompting psychological growth. The groups included are therapy based and practical skills based. The programme is reviewed at regular intervals. The aim throughout the group programme is to encourage you to make healthy choices about your bodies and lives.
Family involvement in the treatment process is very important as this promotes a greater understanding of the illness and will help you to recover. Families can be involved through information sessions, family therapy and family support groups.
The continuation of care is important to support the psychological changes that have taken place during the period of inpatient and day patient treatment. This is usually arranged on an out-patient basis according to the individuals needs.
The staff on the Eating Disorder Unit work as members of a multi-disciplinary team. This team is led by consultant psychiatrists who all have special interest and extensive experience in the management of patients with eating disorders. There is a co-ordinator and charge nurse who together head the experienced nursing team of permanently employed nursing staff. There are also a dietician, occupational therapists and a psychotherapist who work exclusively for the unit. Family therapists and psychotherapists also work for the Unit on a sessional basis. The details of staffing are subject to changes.
Most of the patients are aged from 14 yrs to 25 yrs old. The minimum age is 14 yrs and Occasionally patients are over 30 yrs. We are only licensed to accept female patients for admission on this unit
Meals are calorie controlled by the dietician in conjunction with the kitchen staff. Ingredients and cooking techniques are deliberately varied. Portion sizes are normal rather than enlarged, the extra calories needed to achieve weight gain, coming from the snacks that are given between meals
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
