Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.
Sinead Quinn, a resident of Londonderry, has been grappling with binge eating compulsions that have left her feeling “afraid of food and afraid of herself.” Seeking a diagnosis for a lesser-known eating disorder, Quinn found herself in a challenging situation where she felt like a problem without a solution. The lack of specialist treatment for Binge Eating Disorder (BED) in Northern Ireland has left individuals like Quinn in a vulnerable position.
Despite being the second most common eating disorder in the UK, BED is not currently within the purview of eating disorder services in Northern Ireland. The Department of Health in the region focuses on treating anorexia, bulimia, and atypical presentations of these conditions. With a lack of data collection on BED prevalence and no current review of treatment methods, experts emphasize the urgent need for specialized care within the health service to aid in formal diagnosis and recovery from BED.
For Quinn, her tumultuous relationship with food has been a constant struggle, swinging between comfort and fear. Overwhelmed by compulsions to consume copious amounts of food in short periods, Quinn finds herself in a cycle of binging followed by shame and self-hatred. Despite seeking help and receiving a diagnosis for BED, her referral to the eating disorder service was refused, showcasing the systemic gaps in treating eating disorders in Northern Ireland.
Nicola Armstrong, Beat’s national lead for Northern Ireland, advocates for equitable access to evidence-based treatment for BED. Highlighting the misconception of BED as a weight management issue rather than an eating disorder, Armstrong stresses the need for comprehensive care that addresses the shame and stigma associated with the condition. With inadequate services and limited recognition of BED in the region, there is a pressing demand for reformed treatment approaches to cater to individuals like Quinn who are struggling with this debilitating disorder
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.