Special Interest Group for Eating Disorders

Eating disorders have a devastating impact upon the health and wellbeing of dozens of women, and increasingly men

They represent the highest mortality risk of all mental health problems. Individuals suffering with anorexia or bulimia nervosa experience significantly compromised physical, psychological, emotional and psycho-social wellbeing.

Treatment is complex due to a range of factors that clients commonly present with including change-resistance, psychosocial impairment, co-morbid psychopathology, and physical risk factors such as starvation syndrome, suicide attempts and mortality. Individuals may elect for treatment aimed at full ‘Recovery’ (symptom abstention), ‘Harm Reduction’ (staying ill safely) or require ‘Intensive Care’ including possible tube-feeding.

Specialised Occupational Therapy provides an important contribution to the treatment of eating disordered individuals including psychosocial enablement and cognitive reconstructive interventions. Occupation-focused experiential, psycho-educative and creative activities are adapted to accommodate the clients’ presenting risk factors and readiness to change (Lock & Pepin, in press).

The College of Occupational Therapists Specialist Section, Mental Health:
Special Interest Group for Eating Disorders (COTSSMH-SIGED)

Formerly known as ‘National Occupational Therapist working in Eating Disorders (or NOTED) is a UK-based national group aiming to provide opportunities for:

• Professional development - A forum for OTs to share their evidence-based clinical expertise in treating individuals with eating disorders, within specialist and non-specialist settings.
• Professional networking - A forum for OTs and support workers to liaise with others working or interested in the speciality.
• Professional  promotion - A forum for OTs to facilitate the promotion of their professional contribution within multi-disciplinary settings, by providing expert advice from experienced practitioners and developing the evidence base for Occupational Therapy interventions.
  

Forthcoming Study days

Friday, 4 December 2009
8th Annual Study Day: Meal cookery for adult and adolescent clients with eating disorders; methods and research outcome

View event details

Download study day flyer

Download Review of 7th Annual COTSS - Mentla Health -SIG Eating disorders study day: How Occupational Therapists apply the Recovery 'Model' to clients with Eating Disorders

Download A Student’s Reflection on COTSS -Mental Health, Special Interest Group in Eating Disorders 7th Annual Conference 

For more information contact:

Laura Lock
Chair of SIG for Eating Disorders
Head OT at St George's Eating Disorders Service
laura.lock@swlstg-tr.nhs.uk
Telephone 0208 682 6468