Executive Summary
With over 1.5 million people in the UK suffering from Eating Disorders, this disease is increasingly becoming a social problem that many individual’s within society are in contact with. This report will outline the different solutions to help prevent this social problem from developing, with government intervention, media sources and help from national organizations. This disease is preventable.
Introduction
In the UK, the statistics of those suffering from Eating Disorders are on the rise, and without the funds and support measures available, this is increasingly becoming a social problem. The Government Department of Health is responsible for this problem, and for setting policy in order to solve this. In 2015, the government published the policy ‘Achieving Better Access to Mental Health Service by 2020’ which involved wanting to put more funds into Mental Health and reduce treatment times significantly. (Department of Health, 2014) But sadly, this hasn’t reached those suffering from Eating Disorders and more guidance is needed. As published by the Health Care Information Centre, From October 2013 until February 2014, there was an ‘8% rise in the number of inpatient admissions in 12 months’
EATING DISORDERS AND THE MEDIA
Eating Disorders are represented well in the media, and the problems of treatment and support have been a popular topic for media outlets. According to the Guardian Society, the NHS sent over 150 eating disorder patients to Scotland in 2014 due to lack of beds in England. (Campbell & Marsh, 2018) It has also been documented on the television, with documentaries such as
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Addicted to Food and Talking to Anorexia, which highlights the effects of this debilitating disease. Another campaign that is currently a topic of conversation is the Dump the Scales campaign, which is an online movement that is fighting for change. These sources, show a uniquely personal perspective on why we should care about the problem, with it affecting 1.25 million people in the UK (Virgo, 2018), the Dump the Scales campaign, as well as other sources, believe it is time to change. Although these media outlets negatively portray the illness, which is associated with those suffering, most of these separate the illness from the person. The media represents Eating Disorders as a serious problem, and helps to bust myths regarding it being a life choice. It is often portrayed as wanting to be thin, in order to feel pretty although this isn’t always the case. (Time for Change, 2013) All these media sources agree that change needs to happen, and often reference the need for government intervention when it comes to this problem, they are calling for the specification of Eating Disorders to be changed so that the emphasis is not based on weight, giving more sufferers access to these services. Often at times the media can frame these problems differently with TV documentaries, portraying the illness in a more dramatized view, although ‘Talking to Anorexia’ (Theroux, 2017) portrayed a realistic portrayal of just how complicated the illness is and how much support is needed. It also shows, just how much damage can be done by leaving it too long, supporting the idea of early intervention.
EATING DISORDERS AND THE GOVERNMENT
The Government frames Eating Disorders as a serious illness that can have several effects on an individual’s eating behaviors. (National Institute of Mental Health, 2016) Currently, the government is proposing an Early Day Motion, 1765 about Eating Disorder Diagnosis to help make changes towards the treatments of Eating Disorder Patients. They also secured a Westminster Hall Debate on Eating Disorder Stigma, that involved various politicians sharing their views on the problem. During the debate, the topic of how secretive sufferers can be was prominent, many ‘go to extreme lengths to hide their symptoms and behaviors from those closest to them’ (Sherriff, 2018) Therefore, often times those affected suffer in silence and do not speak out about what is happening to them. This problem affects society as a whole, the majority of individual’s in the UK will know a sufferer or ex-sufferer of an eating disorder. (Hobhouse, Eating Disorders Stigma Debate, 2018) It is a condition that stops sufferers from being able to continue functioning within society, therefore stops the way in which society works. (Warman, 2018) In order to tackle this problem, the government has set up an Early Day Motion which fights for a change of policies, as well as more education for junior doctors on eating disorders. They believe that the diagnosis guidelines should be reviewed and more guidance should be provided for those suffering. (Parliament, 2018) During the debate, the ‘Better Access to Mental Health
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Services by 2020’ Policy was referenced in regards to looking back at the policy and reviewing where the funds have gone considering NHS frontline have not been able to use this. They also suggested revising and including Waiting Time Goals for Adults in the UK, much like we have for Under 18s. (Hobhouse, Eating Disorder Stigma, 2018)
EATING DISORDERS AND OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES
BEAT is the leading UK Charity for those suffering from Eating Disorders. They help to provide a service to those who are both; indirectly and directly, affected by Eating Disorders. There are also a couple of other organizations that are interested in the problem such as; Anorexia Bulimia Care and National Eating Disorders Association, both of who support the fact Eating Disorders are a huge current social issue, that will increase should we let it manifest. Often times, it can be difficult for those suffering to seek support, although the earlier an individual is able to access the treatment, the better chance they have of recovering, therefore, they believe it’s important that these individuals can access the support they need, once they recognize the behaviors. (BEAT, 2018) They are currently creating many campaigns to lobby the government and encourage them to change waiting time targets in the UK to ensure that all ages can access eating disorder treatment when they need it. (BEAT, 2018) Due to the fact the Eating Disorders have the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric disorders, it is believed that they should be prioritized more within the mental health field. (Smith, 2016) Many of these organizations believe that with government intervention, eating disorder sufferers will be able to get treatment and be more likely to recover.
Conclusion
In Conclusion, Eating Disorders are increasingly a problem for society and with Government Intervention such as Policy Change and Funds, they can be beaten. Many Media Sources, as well as organizations, recognize the need for change, and now it’s time for that to happen. Affecting over 1.65 million people, and having the highest mortality rate amongst psychiatric disorders, it is clear to see the problem needs to be spoken about.