Eating Disorder Treatment for Teens in Birmingham

Our teenager eating disorder treatment centre is here to provide an intermediate primary care service, offering specialist support and bespoke treatment plans to help end your teenager’s suffering.

From a safe and confidential environment, our qualified therapists and dieticians will carry out a thorough assessment, screening your teen against a range of disorders to help give you a diagnosis. Once diagnosed, we will be with you every step of the way with a multidisciplinary approach to help address all the factors that may be manifesting in your teenager’s disorder.

Our service for adolescent eating disorders is available for young people aged 12 who have a low weight for their height. Each 12+ child will undergo an assessment to determine their suitability for our program. If they are deemed unsuitable, this will be communicated after the initial appointment.

For younger children, eligibility will be considered individually. Please reach out to our team via email with your inquiry, and we will consult with one of our specialised dieticians to provide guidance.

What are Eating Disorders?

Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions characterised by disturbed eating habits, negative body image, and an obsession with weight and food. These disorders often have physical, emotional, and psychological components and can lead to severe health complications if left untreated. There are several types of eating disorders, with some of the most common ones including:

• Anorexia Nervosa: Individuals with anorexia have an intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted body image. They often restrict their food intake, leading to severe malnutrition and extreme thinness.
• Bulimia Nervosa: Bulimia involves episodes of binge eating, where large amounts of food are consumed in a short period, followed by behaviours like self-induced vomiting, laxative use, or excessive exercise to compensate for caloric intake.
• Binge-Eating Disorder: People with binge-eating disorder frequently consume large amounts of food in a short time but do not engage in purging behaviours. This can lead to obesity and related health issues.
• Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID): ARFID is characterised by an extremely selective or limited food intake. It's not necessarily driven by concerns about weight or body image but can still lead to nutritional deficiencies.
• Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED): OSFED encompasses eating disorders that do not meet the strict diagnostic criteria for anorexia, bulimia, or binge-eating disorder. It includes a range of disordered eating patterns and behaviours.

Eating disorders can have severe physical consequences, such as heart problems, electrolyte imbalances, gastrointestinal issues, and more. The emotional and psychological impact includes depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and a preoccupation with food and body image.

Our service overview encompasses the following key components:

• High-Quality, Proactive Services: Our team is dedicated to providing high-quality care that is proactive and responsive to the evolving needs of our young patients. We are committed to delivering compassionate, timely, and evidence-based care.
• Individualised Therapy: We offer specialised therapy tailored to each teenager’s unique needs and circumstances. Our approach is aligned with best practices in the field of adolescent eating disorder treatment, ensuring that therapy is effective and targeted.
• Evidence-Based Family Therapy Programs: Our services incorporate evidence-based family therapy programs that have been proven to be effective in the treatment of teenage eating disorders. These programs emphasise the importance of involving the family in the healing process.
• Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT): CBT can be highly effective in helping teenagers suffering from eating disorders by addressing the underlying thought patterns and behaviours that contribute to their condition. Through CBT, a teenager can learn to identify and challenge negative thoughts about their bodies and self-worth, while also developing healthier coping strategies to manage emotional triggers. By promoting self-awareness and teaching adaptive responses, CBT empowers young people to regain control over their eating habits and foster a more positive relationship with food and their bodies.
• Training, Education, and Support for Families and Carers: We recognise that eating disorders affect not only the individual but also their families and caregivers. We provide comprehensive training, education, and ongoing support to help families and carers understand and navigate the challenges of eating disorders, fostering a collaborative approach to recovery.
• Specialised Management of Physical Health Issues: We adhere to national Management of Really Sick Patients with Anorexia Nervosa (MARSIPAN) guidelines to ensure the specialised management of physical health issues. This approach prioritises the well-being and safety of our patients and is supported by the latest medical knowledge and best practices.
• Eating Disorder Assessments: For young people aged 12 and over, we offer eating disorder assessments to help identify and understand your teenager’s symptoms and design a tailored treatment plan.
• Safe Refeeding: Our professionals provide medical monitoring to support the safe refeeding of teenagers of very low weight. During refeeding, GPs remain vigilant for signs of refeeding syndrome, gastrointestinal issues, and electrolyte imbalances, especially if purging behaviours are suspected.

Conditions We Can Support

We can provide diagnoses and treatment plans for the following, including:

• Anorexia Nervosa
• Bulimia Nervosa
• Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)
• Binge-Eating Disorder
• Pica
• Rumination Disorder
• Selective Eating Disorder (SED)
• Diabetes Mellitus (Type 1)

The Signs of Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions characterised by unhealthy relationships with food, body image, and weight. There are several different types of eating disorders, each with its own set of signs and symptoms.

Here are the signs and symptoms of some of the most common eating disorders:

Anorexia Nervosa

• Severe restriction of food intake leads to significant weight loss
• Intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat, even if underweight
• Distorted body image, perceiving oneself as overweight even when emaciated
• Obsessive preoccupation with food, calories, and dieting
• Avoiding meals or eating very small portions
• Exercising excessively
• Physical signs such as brittle nails, thinning hair, and dry skin
• Social withdrawal and denial of the seriousness of the condition

Bulimia Nervosa

• Repeated episodes of binge eating, during which large amounts of food are consumed in a short period
• Compensatory behaviours to "purge" the calories, such as self-induced vomiting, excessive exercise, or laxative/diuretic use
• A sense of loss of control during binge-eating episodes
• Frequent fluctuations in body weight
• Dental issues, like tooth decay and enamel erosion, due to vomiting
• Swollen salivary glands
• Frequent bathroom visits after meals

Binge Eating Disorder

• Recurrent episodes of binge eating without purging behaviours
• Eating quickly and to the point of discomfort
• Feelings of guilt, shame, or distress following binge episodes
• Lack of control during binge eating
• Often eating alone to hide the behaviour
• Emotional eating is a way to cope with stress, boredom, or negative emotions
• Rapid weight gain and obesity-related health issues are common

Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED)

• Symptoms of an eating disorder that do not fit the criteria for anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating disorder
• Examples include atypical anorexia (weight not significantly low), purging disorder (purging without bingeing), or night eating syndrome (eating at night and not during the day)

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)

• Extremely selective about the types of food they eat
• Limited food preferences, often avoiding entire food groups
• Fear or discomfort with specific textures, tastes, or smells
• Nutritional deficiencies and inadequate calorie intake
• Anxiety or avoidance of eating in social situations

Diabetes Mellitus (Type 1)

• The combination of diabetes mellitus type 1 and adolescent eating disorders presents distinct challenges.
• Individuals may purposefully skip insulin or hypoglycemic medications to promote weight loss, compromising diabetic management.
• Such behaviour can worsen the progression of diabetic complications in the long term.
• Collaboration among GPs, therapists, and dieticians is crucial in addressing these complex issues effectively.

How Do I Begin? 

Our compassionate team understands the complexities surrounding eating disorders and is dedicated to providing comprehensive evaluations tailored to your teenager’s unique needs. Your first step is booking them in for an assessment. During this session, we'll collaborate with you to gain a deeper understanding of their struggles and develop a personalised plan for treatment and recovery.

Who We Can Help

If you have concerns about your adolescent's weight or eating habits, our healthcare professionals are here to help. Whether they have been previously diagnosed or you are looking to get ahead of a potential problem, we can help you and your teenager understand the signs and symptoms, and, more importantly, why they are presenting themselves. If you have worries, do not hesitate to contact our team.

Our Adolescent Eating Disorder Dieticians

Qualified dieticians play a crucial role in supporting young people with eating disorders by providing personalised nutritional guidance. They assess their nutritional status, collaborate with a multidisciplinary team, and develop a tailored treatment plan. Dieticians educate both the young person and their parents, addressing distorted eating patterns and promoting a positive relationship with food. They monitor nutritional intake, adjust meal plans, and address coexisting medical issues. Additionally, dieticians involve the family in the treatment process, contributing to a holistic approach that enhances the teenager’s chances of recovery.

Our team of dieticians is led by Arti Dhokia, a seasoned dietitian with over fifteen years of experience.

Dr. Joseph is trained in the assessment and diagnosis of both ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) and PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance), supporting individuals with a wide range of neurodevelopmental presentations. As one of only 20 clinicians with specialist PDA training, she brings advanced expertise to this highly specialised area of practice

Why Choose Midland Heath?

Eating disorders have the potential to evolve into severe health concerns. Therefore, it is vital to get your teenager the guidance and proficiency of a seasoned team as soon as possible. We can arrange specialised appointments with eating disorder experts at your convenience. Instead of enduring lengthy waiting periods to see a specialist, you can secure an appointment within a few days.

We excel in delivering comprehensive treatments promptly to our patients. This is why our Birmingham clinic offers:

• Exceptional patient care
• Swift consultations with specialists
• No waiting lists or prerequisites for GP referrals
• Access to state-of-the-art medical facilities

Our Eating Disorder Centre in Birmingham

Our clinic is conveniently located on Francis Road in Edgbaston, just outside Birmingham city centre and near the A456 (Hagley Road), making it easy to reach for patients across Birmingham and the surrounding areas. If you're using public transport, we're just a 15-minute walk from Five Ways station.