PACE: How to Support a Young Person with an Eating

Transcript:PACE: How to Support a Young Person with an Eating:
PACE: How to Support a Young Person with an Eating Difficulty Hampshire Specialist Eating Disorder Team What are Eating Disorders? Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses affecting people of all ages, genders, ethnicities and backgrounds. People with eating disorders may feel their eating difficulties are their way to cope with difficult situations or feelings. This behaviour can include limiting the amount of food eaten, eating very large quantities of food at once, getting rid of food eaten through unhealthy means such as making themselves sick; using laxatives; fasting or excessive exercise or combination of these behaviours. Some stats and facts What to look for; some signs and symptoms Next steps Top tips on how to support a young person Some quick Q&A Overview What are Eating Disorders? 1.6 million people in the UK are estimated to be directly affected by eating disorders (11% male) 14-25 year olds are most affected by an eating disorder AN ave age onset 16-17years Ave duration of illness 7years Approx 45% fully recover, 33% improve, 20% chronic 20% of AN die prematurely (physical health compromise/ suicide) Types of Eating Disorder Anorexia Nervosa Orthorexia Bulimia Nervosa Binge Eating Disorder OSFED- (Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder) ARFID- ( Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) What to look out for Symptoms and Signs- Psychological: -preoccupation with body image, food, dieting, exercise -fear of gaining weight -change in mood (may be happier initially), personality change, other mental health issues e.g. anxiety/ irritability/obsessional behaviours -high interest in food preparation, calorific information of different foods -poor concentration Symptoms and Signs- Physical: -weight loss or lack of expected weight gain -fainting or dizziness -loss of energy, coldness, weakness -poor sleep -amenorrhoea -constipation -hair thinning, lanugo hair, callouses on hands What to look out for Symptoms and Signs- Behavioural: -change in eating habits, secretive, hiding food, avoidance of certain foods -increased exercise -vomiting, use of laxatives/appetite suppressants/diuretics; often going to the toilet -school and social functioning altered -wearing baggy clothes -obsessional behaviours Identifying Eating Disorders Speak to the school/ college/ any other agency involved in supporting/ looking after your young person Speak to your young person See GP Next Steps Ideas ONLY – You know your child and how best to approach however a calm, compassionate, curious and non judgemental approach can be beneficial. Are you concerned about your weight? Have you lost weight? Are you trying to lose weight? What is your ideal