Eating disorders: why professional training matters

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Introduction

Eating Disorder Awareness Week draws attention to a group of conditions that carry serious physical and psychological risks. Health professionals need enough training to recognise different presentations, assess risk and refer people to appropriate care.

Eating Disorders pose a tremendous threat to both the sufferer’s physical and mental wellbeing and are usually a source of grave concern to friends, family and professionals alike.

The eating disorder charity Beat has campaigned for stronger compulsory training in medical schools.

Training For Therapists

Specialist training should help clinicians recognise eating disorder presentations that do not fit one diagnostic category neatly. Qualifications may cover Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Interpersonal Psychotherapy and Family Therapy, alongside assessment, risk management and referral.

Training should cover the nature and course of eating disorders, assessment of the whole person, and risk management in line with NICE guidance. Supervision gives practitioners a place to examine clinical decisions and the effect of difficult work on their own practice.

Finding support

If you are worried about an eating disorder, speak to your GP. Beat also provides information and support. If you already have access to InsideOut®, ask through the app what support is available and whether the practitioner has relevant experience.

Authors: Dr Rebecca Lunson Southall, Chief Therapist & Content Contributor at InsideOut® and Holly Hutchinson, Customer Success Manager at InsideOut®