A woman from Londonderry has spoken out about the struggles she faced waiting for a diagnosis of binge eating disorder (BED). She says the delay made her feel like a “problem that cannot be solved.” Now, she is calling for changes in how Northern Ireland’s health service treats this condition.
Sinead Quinn described how her compulsions to binge eat made her feel trapped in her own home. She said she was “afraid of food and afraid of herself.”
Currently, eating disorder services in Northern Ireland do not treat BED. Instead, patients are referred to general mental health services. The Department of Health said that regional eating disorder services focus only on anorexia, bulimia, and their atypical forms.
According to the UK’s health body NICE, BED is the second most common eating disorder in the UK, after atypical eating disorders. However, the Department of Health does not collect data on how many people in Northern Ireland have BED. They also said there is no current review of how the condition is treated.
Experts say there is an urgent need for specialist care. This would help people get a formal diagnosis and proper treatment for BED.
Sinead’s Story: “Terrified of Food”
Sinead Quinn has struggled with her weight for most of her life. She told BBC Radio Foyle that food has always been a source of comfort and fear. “Many days I spent thinking about food, dieting, or binge eating. It’s exhausting,” she said.
She described her binges as uncontrollable urges that could lead her to eat up to 5,000 calories in less than half an hour. “I buy certain foods from different shops because I don’t want people judging me,” she explained.
After bingeing, she feels shame and self-hatred. “That feeling is horrible,” she said.
What is Binge Eating Disorder?
BED is a serious mental health condition. People with BED regularly eat large amounts of food quickly, often until they feel uncomfortably full. They lose control over their eating.
Symptoms include eating when not hungry, eating very fast, eating alone or secretly, and feeling depressed or ashamed after binges. Binges may be planned or spontaneous and usually involve “special” foods.
Seeking Help, Facing Barriers
Last year, Sinead lost 7 stone (44 kg) through strict dieting but soon returned to binge eating. Concerned, she sought help. Her GP supported her and confirmed she met the criteria for BED.
However, when referred to the Western Trust’s eating disorder service, her referral was rejected. The service does not treat BED, as is the case across all health trusts in Northern Ireland.
Sinead was then sent to general mental health services. She worries that she might not receive care from an eating disorder specialist. She described feeling like a “problem that cannot be solved” and said it is “a very lonely place to be.”
She believes eating disorder services in Northern Ireland should treat all eating disorders, including BED.
The Need for Change
Nicola Armstrong, the national lead for Northern Ireland at the eating disorder charity Beat, said BED often causes weight gain, which can lead to shame and stigma. “This illness is not about being greedy or overindulgent,” she stressed.
She added that many people with BED are treated as if they only have weight problems, not an eating disorder. “Northern Ireland needs fair access to proven treatments for BED,” she said.
Professor Laura McGowan from Queen’s University highlighted the lack of services for people with eating disorders. She hopes a new obesity management service will include screening for BED. “There is a big unmet need for BED patients, especially those with obesity,” she said.
Current Guidelines and Hope for the Future
NICE recommends that people with BED start with guided self-help. If that is not enough, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) should be offered.
Ursula Philpot, a dietician and clinical lead for eating disorders with NHS England, called BED the “forgotten eating disorder.” She helped develop an online self-help program for BED in the Republic of Ireland.
“BED is often not recognized by patients or medical staff. People may think it is a lack of willpower rather than an illness,” she explained. The online program has been very effective and shows how UK specialists can help patients remotely.
A New Chapter
For Sinead Quinn, the cycle of bingeing and dieting must end. “I don’t want to spend my days locked in the house, afraid of food. It’s no way for anyone to live,” she said.
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