WLMHT CAMHS Eating Disorders Service

Eating disorders are a group of disorders where the main symptoms are significant body image disturbance with a desire to control or lose weight, to an extent where it is significantly interfering with physical or mental health.

Anorexia symptoms  include: restricted food intake, weight loss, excessive concern about weight/shape, loss of periods in girls; there may be vomiting, laxative use or diet pill use, excessive exercise. There is often a denial of a problem and behaviours may be hidden.

Bulimia symptoms include periods of discrete bingeing episodes, followed by a need to purge, e.g. by vomiting, laxative use or diet pill use, or  excessive exercise. Weight is usually within normal range or overweight range.

Binge eating symptoms include periods of discrete bingeing episodes without purging. (In contrast to general overeating or unhealthy eating patterns, the binges occur at discrete times, and are associated with guilt rather than pleasure or comfort).

If an eating disorder is suspected, it is important to seek assessment quickly.

Where food restriction is a concern but due to other issues, (see below), treatment is usually most appropriately offered in other services, including paediatric services, Health Visitors, generic CAMHS etc.

This service does not accept referrals for the following:

• Overweight young people who require weight management advice/intervention to prevent excessive weight gain. Such referrals should be sent to One You, community dietitians as appropriate.
• Restricted eating in young children sometimes referred to as “fussy” or “faddy” eating : These should be directed to Health Visitors, Community Dieticians, specialist services as appropriate.
• Sensory feeding difficulties –Occupational Health or Speech and Language Therapists
• Failure to thrive– these cases should be managed by the paediatric team with other community services  as required.
• Vomiting/choking phobias – these should be directed to the generic CAMHS services in the first instance.

We accept referrals from professionals working with young people (with the consent of the young person and/or their parent) and also accept self-referrals (young people and their parents), with a suspected eating disorder (anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder).

If the GP is not the referrer, the young person must be seen by their GP for a physical assessment if they have not seen the GP in the last two weeks, (although this does not stop the referral to our service, it should run alongside it). This is to exclude a physical cause for the symptoms and to assess physical risk.

We strongly advise parental involvement, including parental consent, for all referrals,  due to risk issues and that the primary treatment is family based.

If you are a professional and are very worried about a child but do not have consent to refer, we are happy for you to call us for advice.

You can refer by:

Parent/ Young Person – call us on 020 8354 8160 and ask to speak with the duty clinician for the Eating Disorders Team (we may need to call you back if no-one is immediately available to take your call)

Professionals working with young people – please complete our referral form located on our website.

Please note the service is open Monday-Friday 9am-5pm. Outside these hours, if you have an urgent concern please contact your GP or attend A and E.

Young Minds www.youngmings.org.uk

Royal College Psychiatrists www.rcpsych.ac.uk

Beat- UK Eating Disorder Charity www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk