Eating Disorders

Overeating and starvation affect brain chemistry in similar ways to addictive drugs. This, often together with years of entrenched thought processes and behaviours, makes recovery from eating disorders very demanding. In addition, people have to cope with those negative emotions that they have been avoiding for so long. As those with eating disorders have learnt to use chemicals to alter their emotions, there is a danger of cross-addiction to drugs, alcohol and/or self-harming behaviour. In order to support you through these challenges our recovery treatment programme is designed to:

• Foster self-acceptance and self-worth – through belonging to a loving and accepting group that enables people to learn from each other’s experiences.
• Provide you with the tools you need to deal with cravings and negative emotions.
• Provide you with a non-judgemental space where you feel safe to address relapses and use these experiences as a source of learning and self-awareness.
• Enable a healthy food plan through the 3-0-1 Programme (Three meals a day – nothing in between – one day at a time)
• Work with you to identify possible trigger foods and unhealthy eating behaviours.
• Encourage attendance at Overeaters Anonymous or Anorexics and Bulimics Anonymous 12 step meetings.
• Enable you to develop a more positive outlook on life.
• Encourage you to explore and discover for yourself your own higher spiritual power (a personal source of inspiration, self-worth, strength, purpose and comfort).

Jane’s Story…

“… I have had issues with food since I was six or seven… from under eating, over eating, vomiting, frantic exercising to trying wacky diets or expensive pills. For a time I tried ways to control my food addiction, took medication and attended an eating disorder clinic, but these didn’t work for me. The problem wasn’t just food; it was more about my inability to cope with emotions and everyday life.”

I came to The Living Room in July 2006, fearful, anxious, but willing to listen and work on getting recovery. From the very first day I found it to be friendly, supportive, non-judgemental and a ‘safe’ environment to be in. Just as recovery isn’t always plain sailing, attendance at The Living Room can at times, be difficult. The feedback from counsellors and clients is always honest, supportive and encouraging, but not necessarily easy on the ear. It is generally at these times when the most progress is made and recovery is taken on a step or two.

Since attending The Living room I am achieving recovery for the first time, have learnt new ways to deal with my emotions and have grown in other aspects of my life, all things that for so long I thought were impossible.”