Anorexia is a treatable illness

You may feel that you’re in an impossible situation at the moment but it’s important to remember the situation can change, that anorexia is treatable and that you can move into recovery.

There are people who understand the issues you are facing and are able to help you understand and cope with your anorexia. Recovery rates for people who go through treatment are very similar to those who get treatment for other chronic diseases such as diabetes and asthma.  There are a number of treatment methods and community resources, including outpatient or residential treatment programs and twelve-step groups that are available to support you.

However, it is a serious, progressive, psychiatric illness, meaning it gets worse over time if left untreated.

No matter how compulsive the anorexia, treatment can work, especially when a person is committed to working on recovery and has a strong support system.

At Life Works we can help treat anorexia. Please call our Admissions Counsellor now on 0800 081 0700 to discuss how Life Works can help start treating this illness or email us for more information.

What you can do about your problem with anorexia

1. Understand that while you made the choice to start restricting your food intake, you did not choose to become anorexic. When you are anorexic, your brain is functioning abnormally and your need to restrict the types and amounts of food you eat becomes overwhelming. We know that anorexia is an illness, not a character flaw – and as such, you need and deserve the same medical treatment that anyone else with a chronic illness would receive.
2. Find a treatment programme that also looks beyond your eating behaviours. An effective programme will look at your behaviours around food but importantly, it will also examine and address the underlying psychological factors that influence these behaviours. Anorexia is not just about food or eating behaviours – it is a life-threatening, psychiatric illness that is much more serious than just the eating problems it produces.
   
   Find a treatment programme that includes assessment and treatment for any other pre-existing or co-occurring mental health issues, behavioural health issues or mood disorders - for example, anxiety or depression – that may also be affecting you. These issues often exist alongside a person’s anorexia and if left untreated, they can impair the effectiveness of treatment, so it’s essential that they are identified and addressed as part of your treatment programme.

As a leading, private facility for the treatment of anorexia and other behavioural health issues, Life Works is Dedicated to Recovery. We are able to provide a holistic treatment programme that focuses on the physical, psychological and spiritual needs of the individual. Our treatment programme helps individuals look at the underlying causes of their behaviours, to come to terms with their illness and start to create healthy strategies for coping once they leave.

At Life Works, we value the role of the family in treating anorexia and other behavioural health issues and family therapy forms an integral part of primary, residential treatment at Life Works. Our Family Week programme provides a safe and nurturing environment to overcome the problems that arise from broken lines of communication between family members. We believe that together these elements provide a strong foundation for healthy, sustained, long-term recovery.

To find out more about our treatment programmes, click here.

Act now and start the recovery process

The earlier you act, the greater the likelihood of successful treatment and recovery. We are specialists in treating anorexia. You may feel there is little or no point in getting help – but this is the illness of anorexia talking. By not getting help, you are exposing yourself to serious risks, to your health, your safety – and your future. By continuing to control and restrict your food intake, you are greatly increasing your chances of infertility, osteoporosis, hair loss, heart problems, kidney failure and stunted growth. Anorexia has the highest mortality rate of any eating disorder. Other effects of anorexia include severe mood swings, depression and suicidal thoughts. But you do have a choice. You can let anorexia take control of your life – or you can get help.

Please call us now on 0800 081 0700 or email us for more information and we will help you get the treatment you need.

There is hope and help available to you

Remember that people with anorexia can get well. They can regain their physical health and well-being and improve their relationships with others.  This happens when you have stopped controlling and restricting your food intake and make the choice to be “in recovery”.

Recovery is not instantaneous.  It’s a process that requires work to maintain but it can lead to a profound life transformation with enormous personal growth.

If you think you may have a problem with anorexia, it’s important to act now by calling Life Works on 0800 081 0700 or email us for more information.

What is recovery?

There are many misconceptions about what being “in recovery” means. Recovery is commonly misunderstood, especially by people who have not received treatment and also amongst their friends and families. At Life Works, recovery is about more than abstaining from food restriction and calorie counting. We define recovery as supporting individuals in getting their lives back, especially those aspects that are valuable and precious to each individual. It also means putting more into life than a person may have previously and finding meaning either once again, or for the first time ever. Recovery means creating a healthy, fulfilling and meaningful life that is characterised by abstinence from food restriction, more effective tools for coping with the stresses of life, and a greater connection with yourself, those close to you and the larger community.

At Life Works, we strongly believe that recovery is not about what you are taking out of your life, but rather, it is what you put back in. Anorexia is a disease of isolation. The life of someone with anorexia tends to get smaller and smaller. Recovery is about expanding your life.

By taking that first step and receiving treatment at Life Works for your anorexia, you will be able to start leading the new life you truly deserve.

Please call our Admissions Counsellor now on 0800 081 0700 to discuss how Life Works can help you or email us for more information.

There are consequences for your health, safety and future if you don’t act now.

How is Life Works different from other treatment centres?

• We are Dedicated to Recovery
• We are not a large psychiatric hospital treating wider mental health issues
• We provide our clients with a small, safe community for their recovery
• We provide support and relief for both our clients and their families
• We value the role of family and friends as an integral part of the treatment process
• We are honest, positive and caring
• We do not offer treatment to clients with severe mental health issues

Life Works is a leading private behavioural health facility for the treatment of anorexia.

If you need help or advice about your problem with anorexia, please call our Admissions Counsellor now on 0800 081 0700 to discuss how Life Works can help start treating this illness or email us for more information.