50 adults were referred to specialists for help with eating disorders in Guernsey last year.
They were seen by the adult Eating Disorder Team, who are part of secondary care Specialist Mental Health Services based at the Oberlands.
The number receiving that specialist treatment has been revealed as part of efforts to de-mystify eating disorders during Eating Disorders Awareness Week, where efforts focus on dispelling the myths surrounding eating disorders.
The specialist health professionals working in Guernsey say they want to raise awareness and help break down the stigma associated with eating disorders to encourage people to come forward for support.
The theme for this week has been ‘anyone can have an eating disorder’, highlighting that eating disorders can affect anyone, at any time, and not always those who you might expect.
The local Eating Disorder Team is made up of a range of professionals, including psychologists, psychological therapists, psychiatrists, nurses, an occupational therapist and a dietician, explained HSC.
The eating disorder team provides assessment, support, psychological therapy and, where appropriate, medical management for adults over the age of 18 with an eating disorder.
While the number of under 18s referred for treatment is unavailable, HSC was able to confirm that the adult eating disorder team had 50 referrals in 2024.
Emily Barrasin, Clinical Psychologist, said there are several stereotypes or myths about eating disorders that may make some people feel unable to ask for help or support or mean that their difficulties go unnoticed to those around them.
“For Eating Disorders Awareness Week, we would like to increase public understanding of the various types of eating disorders, and how they differ from one another. This includes anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder, amongst others,” she said.
“We hope that if we can help to break down the stigma around eating disorders on the island and debunk some of the myths around them, this will encourage more people who are suffering to reach out for support from their loved ones, or from the services available to them here in Guernsey.”
Eating disorders are complex illnesses
There is no single cause for any eating disorder.
Instead they are thought to be caused by a combination of biological, psychological and sociocultural factors.
Eating disorder specialists say they are never a personal choice or someone seeking attention.
One key message that Guernsey’s eating disorder team said they would like to push is that there is often nothing a parent or carer could have done to prevent the eating disorder.
Treatment may involve families changing certain behaviours to promote and support their relative’s recovery; however, it does not mean they are at fault for their illness.
Eating disorders require specialist treatment, but people can and do get better, said HSC.
More information on Guernsey’s Eating Disorder Team can be found HERE.
Support is also available from the charity BEAT.