Professional Referrals

New referrals will be received via borough-based CAMHS teams in Newham, Tower Hamlets and City & Hackney and passed on to the CEDS-CYP. Referrals can be made by GPs, healthcare professionals, schools and colleges. 

Self-referrals 

We accept self-referrals from young people, parents and carers. If you would like to speak to us about referring yourself or your child please call us on 02074262556

Anorexia Nervosa (AN)

Someone with anorexia nervosa worries all the time about food, eating, body weight or body shape. Behaviours such as eating very little or over-exercising can lead to them losing a lot of weight.

Bulimia Nervosa (BN)

Someone with bulimia nervosa also worries a lot about body weight and body shape. They alternate between eating next to nothing, and then having binges when they over-eat and feel out of control. They may vomit or take laxatives to control their weight.

Binge Eating Disorder (BED)

Someone with binge eating disorder has frequent episodes of binge eating, often feeling out of control of how much they’re eating, and feeling uncomfortably full or ashamed.

Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS)

This is when someone has considerable difficulty and distress around eating. Some but not all of the features of AN, BN or BED are present.

• Rapid response to referrals (within 15 days)
• Multi-disciplinary specialist assessments
• High quality, evidence-based interventions including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Family Therapy (FT)
• Consultation, support and advice to other professionals working with children and young people.
• Training in the delivery of early intervention treatment for mild and emerging eating difficulties.

Websites

www.b-eat.co.uk 
www.nhs.uk/conditions/eating-disorders 
www.youngminds.org.uk
http://www.themix.org.uk/mental-health/eating-disorders 

Helplines

B-eat Youthline: 0845 634 7650
ChildLine: 0800 1111

If things are getting worse make an emergency appointment with your family doctor. If you feel you are in crisis and have concerns around keeping yourself safe, you should be assessed by your doctor or seen in your local A & E department who can then consult with specialist out-of-hours CAMHS staff.

What Is An Eating Disorder?

A lot of young people, worry about their weight, shape or food. However, for some, these worries can become an obsession which can turn into a serious eating disorder.

Someone with an eating disorder might compulsively diet or skip meals in order to lose weight. Regularly overeating and experiencing loss of control over what, when or how much to eat can also be signs of an eating problem.

What will happen at my first appointment?

When we receive a request for help we will offer you an appointment. When we first meet you we will spend time chatting about what has brought you here.  You can tell us anything that you like about how you are feeling and what you would like to be different.  We won’t think it is silly or stupid.  You may feel worried about talking on your own and may prefer to have family with you. Also, it doesn’t matter if you don’t feel like talking much at an appointment.   You can ask as many questions as you like and if we use any complicated words just tell us and we can explain what we mean.  We want to work with you to find ways for you to feel better.

We find it helpful to meet other people in the family so we can hear what they think about the difficulty.

Sometimes we only need to meet you a few times, and sometimes it may take longer.  We will talk about this with you when you come to see us. 

What will happen first?

When we receive a request for help we will offer you an appointment.  At the first appointment we will spend time talking about the reasons you are here.

We will listen to you, you can tell us anything you like about how you are feeling and ask as many questions as you like.

This is a safe environment and we want to help you.

We find it helpful to meet other members of your family so we can hear what they think about the difficulty but we will also talk to you separately.

You may prefer if it is just you at the appointment and this is fine, just let us know.

Who do we talk to?

After the first meeting it might be helpful to speak to your GP, teachers, social worker or other professionals involved with you and your family. We would only do this with your permission.
This is a confidential service. We will only discuss your case with another service if you have given us permission or if we have serious concerns about a young person's safety.

How Do We Try to Help?

You will meet with one or more members of the team who will talk to you about the difficulties you have been having, what you would like to be different and how CAMHS might help.

We look at how we can use your own and your family’s strengths, skills and abilities to help the situation. We will then discuss with you how we will work together with you on the problems you have identified and the goals you want to achieve.

Sometimes only a few meetings are needed, sometimes it may take longer. We normally offer treatment in blocks of 6 sessions but will review this regularly with you.

Community Eating Disorder Service Leaflet