Eating disorder referral rise

Mental health staff in Marlborough are dealing with a record number of eating disorder referrals for young people.

Staff at Child Adolescent Mental Health Service have seen a rise in the number of under 18 years olds needing help.

Being unable to pursue normal activities during lockdown sparked an increasing interest and focus on food intake, exercise, and nutrition, experts reveal.

Interim Manager iCAMHS Nelson and Wairau, NMH Mental Health Services Deb Moore says added anxiety was also a problem.

“Families have reported to us that during COVID 19 lockdown they became aware of their child or adolescent had an increasing interest and focus on food intake, exercise, and nutrition.

“Young people were unable to pursue their normal life activities, and for some their focus became more narrowed to weight, shape and diet.”

While detailed statistics are not collected on separate disorders, staff say approximately 75 younger people had been referred for help in the last six months.

Eating disorders anorexia nervosa, bulimia, ARFID (Avoidant Restrictive food intake disorder), and unexplained weight loss are flagged to CAMHS, as are suspected eating disorders.

“Eating disorders are a really difficult illness for the individual and for their whanau and loved ones,” Deb says.

“It is one of the most difficult psychiatric illnesses to treat successfully, which is evident in a low recovery rate.

“There are certainly some younger people identified and what was previously regarded as fussy eating in children may now be seen more as an ARFID issue…”

The CAMHS team take a proactive multidisciplinary approach to care, working in partnership with paediatricians, family GPs, dietitians and whanau.

A fulltime healthcare assistant has been employed to support clients in the ward.

Deb believes busy lifestyles could also be partly to blame for the increase.

“For children involved in multiple sports there may not be an overall view of how many activities they take part in or the total amount of time spent engaged in these sports over the course of a week.

“Sports medicine experts have recommended a maximum of 15 hours sports activities per week for adolescents, and unfortunately we are aware of young people engaging in far more than this.”

Deb says parents and caregivers need to be alert to changes as early intervention is key.

“If parents notice that their child is losing weight, not eating as they usually do, skipping meals, their lunches are coming home uneaten, or avoiding some food groups that they would normally eat, or even making negative or critical comments about their body, they should discuss this with their family GP and have a physical review.

“If a referral for medical or CAMHS intervention is needed their GP is able to do this.”