Assessing a Child or Young Person with a Potential Eating Disorder

Doctors Lisa and Sara talk to Senior Eating Disorder Practitioners Vicky McGee and Rachelle Davies to get their advice on consulting with children and young people who present with features of an Eating Disorder. We take the theoretical case of 14-year-old Suzie, who presents to the Practice alongside her Mum with mood symptoms, reduced eating and weight loss. We use this to guide the discussion around consulting with children and young people and assessing for an Eating Disorder. We talk about Red Flags during acute assessment and follow up.

You can use these podcasts as part of your CPD - we don’t do certificates but they still count :)

Useful resources: 

• Medical Emergencies in Eating Disorders: Guidance on Recognition and Management (Updated July 2023 - Traffic Light System Starts p31): https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/docs/default-source/improving-care/better-mh-policy/college-reports/college-report-cr233-medical-emergencies-in-eating-disorders-(meed)-guidance.pdf?sfvrsn=2d327483_52
• NICE Guidelines Eating disorders: recognition and treatment  (Dec 2020): https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng69/resources/eating-disorders-recognition-and-treatment-pdf-1837582159813
• Royal College of General Practice Eating Disorders eLearning: https://elearning.rcgp.org.uk/enrol/index.php?id=173
• Children and young people with suspected eating disorders: Guidelines for primary care professionals (Greater Manchester Focus): https://hub.gmintegratedcare.org.uk/mental-health/children-and-young-people-with-suspected-eating-disorders-guidelines-for-primary-care-professionals/
• Eva Musby, a resource for Parents and Clinicians around Anorexia Nervosa: https://anorexiafamily.com/
• Maudsley Model in Eating Disorder Treatment: https://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/blog/maudsley-model-eating-disorder
• Guidelines Summary for Primary Care: Management of Eating Disorders (lists specific types): https://www.medscape.co.uk/viewarticle/eating-disorders-2022a10019oa
• FEAST (Families Empowered And Supporting Treatment for Eating Disorders) Resources for Families: https://www.feast-ed.org/
• Beat Eating Disorders: https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/get-information-and-support/about-eating-disorders/types/

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This podcast has been made with the support of GP Excellence and Wigan CCG. Given that it is recorded with Greater Manchester clinicians, the information discussed may not be applicable elsewhere and it is important to consult local guidelines before making any treatment decisions. 

The information presented is the personal opinion of the healthcare professional interviewed and might not be representative to all clinicians. It is based on their interpretation of current best practice and guidelines when the episode was recorded. Guidelines can change; To the best of our knowledge the information in this episode is up to date as of it’s release but it is the listeners responsibility to review the information and make sure it is still up to date when they listen.

Dr Lisa Adams, Dr Sara MacDermott and their interviewees are not liable for any advice, investigations, course of treatment, diagnosis or any other information, services or products listeners might pursue as a result of listening to this podcast - it is the clinicians responsibility to appraise the information given and review local and national guidelines before making treatment decisions. Reliance on information provided in this podcast is solely at the listeners risk.

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