ADAPT

It is very difficult for people with eating disorders to get better on their own. Recovery is easier if they have professional help and support. Will power on its own may not be enough.

The steps towards professional help are as follows:

1. Go to your GP - he/she is the gate keeper to professional help. All health professionals assume that your visit to your GP is your first step towards getting better.

2. The GP should refer you to one of the following support services. Access to these services is a right and is not a given and is at the discretion of the GP:

• Four new specialist eating disorder teams have been set up in each of the four health board areas of Northern Ireland.  Your GP can refer you to one of these if he considers it appropriate.

• Child and Adolescent Mental health Service - where health personnel, trained in understanding your problems, can help you change your habits and return to good health.

• Dietitian - to help you with weight management through healthy eating.
  

3. As an outpatient you would not stay in the department but would visit it at regular times for support and to allow the staff to see that you are getting better. You would still get advice of coping with your problems and your friends and family would get guidance on how to help you on your path to good health.

4. In the situation where you are very ill you would be taken directly to hospital where your treatment would begin.