Content warning: This article contains references to eating disorders.
Cases are rising.
The number of people being admitted to Sligo University Hospital with eating disorders had more than doubled since the beginning of the pandemic.
Professor Cathy McHugh, a consultant physician at the hospital, told RTÉ’s Drivetime that typically, they would usually treat around four to six patients each year with an eating disorder.
Since the pandemic began, that figure has risen with 12 patients already presenting themselves in the hospital with an eating disorder so far this year.
Three of these patients are currently still on the wards.
She also noted that hospitals are only seeing the tip of the iceberg when it comes to cases like this as she says her colleagues in other hospitals have said that “it has blown out of all control.”
McHugh said it seemed that people were suffering from heightened anxiety levels across the country as a result of the pandemic and those with eating disorders are “vulnerable to anxiety.”
With social support not being available and access to these services very limited during the pandemic, hospitals have seen this increase.
McHugh warned that there was “little to nothing” in support for people with eating disorders due to the lack of services.
According to the professor, they need help from a psychiatrically-trained eating disorder nurse who is “is the difference between you doing well and you doing poorly”.
Adding that there are significant concerns for those with eating disorders being in hospital during the pandemic as there are at an increased risk of contracting Covid-19 and are more vulnerable to it.
However, she did note that when it gets to a serious level, she is left with “no choice”.
