Counselling
If you would benefit from professional psychological support, we offer a confidential counselling service. You can access counselling sessions via phone, Zoom or for those within travelling distance to Altrincham, face to face.
What is an eating disorder?
The term eating disorder is used to describe illnesses that are characterised by irregular eating habits and severe anxiety about body weight and/or shape.
Who is affected?
Eating disorders can affect anybody at any age. Common misconceptions are that it is mainly women who are affected by eating disorders. However, men can also be affected by issues such as low self-esteem, body image and an obsessive relationship with food.
Beating Eating Disorders (Beat) has indicated that as many as 1.6 million people in the UK are affected by an eating disorder. For further information, visit the Beat website.
Treatment for eating disorders
Treatment for eating disorders is available, and has the potential to very positively impact someone’s quality of life. For further information on all the current treatments offered by the NHS, see the NHS website.
Some people may benefit from residential treatment. Residential treatment ordinarily includes therapy, nutritional counselling, group support and complementary therapies. Funding for residential treatment is sometimes provided by the NHS. For further information, you can find services near you.
Beat, the charity for eating disorders in the UK, offers services for people struggling with disordered eating. This includes a helpline, chatroom to speak with people who are in a similar situation, free support resources and signposting to local services.
Help from Pharmacist Support
Support can also be accessed through our confidential Addiction Support Programme for people dealing with an eating disorder. If you are a pharmacist, trainee or student needing help, the counsellor can provide confidential specialist support and advice on treatment options that is right for you.
Read more about Pharmacist Support’s Addiction Support service
Useful organisations
Anorexia nervosa and related eating disorders (ANRED)
ANRED is an organization that provides information about all the well-known and the lesser known eating disorders. The website also includes self-help tips and information about recovery and prevention. For further information, see the ANRED website.
Beating eating disorders (BEAT)
Beat is a charity that provides support to anybody who has been affected by eating disorders. Services include helplines, on-line support groups and local support groups. For further information, see the BEAT website.
This page was reviewed in February 2024.
