Eating disorders
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Eating disorders can affect anyone at any age and may be associated with other mental health and medical problems.
The most common eating disorders are Anorexia Nervosa (AN) and Bulimia Nervosa (BN). There are other types of eating disorder associated with these.
The Highland Eating Disorder Service (HEDS) offers assessment and treatment on an outpatient basis for people with eating disorders aged 18 or over (under-18s are treated by CAMHS).
Important: Contacts
Highland Eating Disorder Service
Greenfields House
New Craigs Hospital
Leachkin Road
Inverness
IV3 8NP
- phone 01463 253 667
- Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Service provision is within the Highland HSCP area.
Referral
Referrals usually come from a patient's GP, or with the GP's knowledge, but we are happy to accept referrals from any healthcare professional. Arrangements to discuss a potential referral with an available team member can be made via the secretary on the phone number shown above. Urgent referrals are normally assessed within one week and routine referrals within 18 weeks.
Services provided
Clinical practice is evidence-based, following best practice guidelines from Healthcare Improvement Scotland or NICE. We offer the following therapies which will be tailored to the individual's needs:
- Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy (CBT)
- Family Based Therapy (FBT)
- Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT)
- Behavioural Family Therapy (BFT)
- Eye Movement Desensitisation (EMDR)
- Prolonged Exposure (PE)
- mindfulness
- individual nutritional counselling and support
- psychiatric review
- Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) - for patients with a dual diagnosis of eating disorder and borderline personality disorder
- day service programme, including meal support
- carer’s support sessions
We are an Inverness-based service so offer remote video appointments for those who would find it difficult to attend due to their locality.
The Eden Unit
A small number of patients may require inpatient admission for treatment. We have dedicated beds on the Eden Unit, a 10-bed inpatient ward in Royal Cornhill Hospital, Aberdeen which provides specialised treatment.
Staff
The service is made up of a multi-disciplinary team consisting of:
- consultant nurse (clinical lead)
- consultant psychiatrist
- speciality doctors
- nurse therapists
- dietitian
- assistant practitioner
- secretary
More information
- Beat provides helplines, online support and a network of UK-wide support groups to help adults and young people beat their eating disorders.
- Eating disorders: recognition and treatment - National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guideline.
- Eating Disorders in Scotland - A Patient's Guide from Healthcare Improvement Scotland.
- North East Eating Disorders Support Group (NEEDS)
- Psychology of Eating Disorders - NHS Highland Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS)
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