Life in Person Suggestion Box

Quick answer: People living with binge eating disorder need support that treats it as a condition in its own right, and not only as a weight issue. That support needs to come early, continue over time, and be affordable and reachable. This post shares my view, as someone with lived experience, of what is needed, what is on offer today and who is providing it.

Suggestion Box

Description

A lived experience view of what binge eating disorder support needs, compared with what is on offer today and who is providing it.

What Is Needed in Binge Eating Disorder Support

This is the first post in the Suggestion Box, where I share my view, as someone with lived experience of binge eating disorder, of what is needed in support compared with what is on offer and who is providing it. These are my own views and observations. They are not a criticism of any one person or organisation, and many people are doing important work in this area.

What I believe is needed

I believe people need support that treats binge eating disorder as a condition in its own right, and not only as a weight issue. They need information and help early, without having to wait until things become severe. They need peer support alongside clinical care, so that there is someone who understands what daily life with the condition is really like. They need support that continues over time, rather than short programs that end while people are still finding their feet. And they need help that is affordable and reachable, including for people who live outside the big cities.

What is on offer

In my experience, a lot of what is on offer focuses on weight, diet and short term plans, which does not match what living with binge eating disorder involves. Specialised services for the condition can be hard to find, and where they exist there can be long waits and costs that put them out of reach for many people. The public conversation, including the current attention on GLP1 medications, is also often about the number on the scale rather than the disorder itself.

Who is providing it

Support comes from doctors, psychologists, dietitians, community organisations and peer support services, and each of them has a role. What I often see missing is a way to connect these parts, so that people are not left to find their own way between them. I also believe that people with lived experience should help design services from the start, and should not only be asked for feedback once everything has already been decided.

Your suggestions

This blog is called the Suggestion Box for a reason. If you live with binge eating disorder, or support someone who does, I would like to hear what you think is needed. You are welcome to get in touch through Life in Person, and if you are not sure where to start, you can book a free 10 minute phone call using the link at the top of the website.

If you live with binge eating disorder, or you would like to talk with someone who understands it, you are welcome to get in touch through Life in Person.