Eating Disorders in Adults: Information and Support in Devon 

If you’re worried about your eating or someone else’s, don’t wait to get help. Early support gives the best chance of recovery. 

Could You or Someone You Care About Need Support?

Questions for You 

  • Do you worry a lot about your weight, shape, or body image? 
  • Do you skip meals, restrict food, or avoid eating with others? 
  • Do you binge eat or purge (vomit, use laxatives, or over-exercise)? 
  • Has your eating affected your health, daily life, or relationships? 
  • Have your periods stopped or become irregular due to low weight or excessive exercise? 

Questions for Families and Carers 

  • Have you noticed them eating very little or skipping meals? 
  • Do they seem preoccupied with weight or appearance? 
  • Have you seen bingeing, purging, or excessive exercise? 
  • Are they avoiding meals or social situations involving food? 

If you answer ‘yes’ to any of these questions, seek help from your GP or local eating disorder services. 

Where to Get Help

Community Eating Disorder Service (CEDS) – Devon

For adults with moderate to severe eating disorders (excluding Plymouth). Conditions they support:

  • Anorexia nervosa
  • Bulimia nervosa
  • Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OFSED) – where the presentation closely resembles anorexia or bulimia nervosa and is not better accounted for by another disorder

BMI does not affect access to our service.

Locations:

  • Wonford House, Exeter
  • Clinics in Torbay and North Devon Wellbeing Hubs

Appointments:

  • Preferably face-to-face
  • Virtual or phone appointments available

How to access:

  • Referral through your GP

What they offer:

  • They will work alongside you in your journey towards recovery
  • Tailored support will be based on your needs
  • Multidisciplinary team: psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists, dietitians, nurses, and GPs
  • Initial assessment and treatment plan
  • For ages 18–25 early in their journey: FREED therapy Learn more: FREED Therapy Video
  • If inpatient care is needed (The Haldon eating disorder unit), they will manage your referral and work with you and your support network to maintain safety
  • They also coordinate with hospitals for emergency admissions
  • CEDS does not routinely work with binge-eating disorder, but can liaise with or signpost to TALKWORKS to ensure that appropriate support is provided.
  • You can also self-refer to them through their website.

 

Guidance they follow (for Healthcare Professionals):

Eating Disorder Services – Plymouth

The Plymouth service is made up of two teams:

  • ED-ITT (Eating Disorder Intensive Treatment Team)
  • EDS (Eating Disorder Service)

They serve Plymouth, West, and South Devon.

Who they help:

  • Anorexia nervosa
  • Bulimia nervosa
  • Binge eating disorder

What they offer:

  • They work with individuals at all stages in their journey to recovery.
    • ED-ITT provides intensive support, day services, hospital/community admissions;
    • EDS offers early psychological support, individual or group therapy, step-down care

Your treatment is individual to you.

What the teams do:

  • ED-ITT:
    • Supports people with severe eating disorders
    • Works with Plymouth Community Healthcare, hospitals, and your GP
    • Provides help through Day Services or plans hospital/community admissions if needed and try to keep people close to home if possible
  • EDS:
    • Offers early psychological support
    • Provides individual or group therapy, including Day Services
    • Supports step-down from intensive care or after hospital discharge
    • Works alongside specialist dietitians
    • Requires your commitment and willingness to engage in therapy.  www.eatingdisorderserviceplymouth.co.uk

In-patient treatment

The Haldon Eating Disorder Unit, based at Wonford House in Exeter, provides residential care for people with severe eating disorders in the Southwest of England.

What to expect:

  • A personalised care plan tailored to your needs
  • Support at all stages of your recovery journey
  • Daily activities, treatment, and support services to help you stay on track
  • A programme based on NICE guidance to support long-term recovery

Learn more:

Watch this video to see what a stay at The Haldon is like:
Haldon Eating Disorder Unit Video
Our quality-assured treatment can help you make real progress in your long-term recovery from your eating disorder.

Other Important Information

Disordered Eating and Mental Health

Eating patterns can change when you feel low, anxious, or stressed. Neurodivergence and gender identity distress can increase risk.

What to do:

Support for Families and Carers

  • Carer sessions
  • Family therapy
  • Local and national resources
  • BEAT Eating Disorders
    • BEAT is a UK charity that supports both people with eating disorders and their carers. They offer:
    • A national helpline
    • A free carers’ guide
    • Online learning courses
    • Peer support groups
    • More information: www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk
  • F.E.A.S.T
    • Our Mission – F.E.A.S.T. is an international charity that supports families affected by eating disorders. They provide free information, skills, and resources to help families throughout their journey.

Special Situations

Type 1 Diabetes and Eating Disorders (T1DE):

If you have Type 1 Diabetes and worry about food, weight, or insulin use, speak to your Diabetes Team. You can find more support and information here:

Eating disorders | Breakthrough T1D UK

Video link: https://youtu.be/0McVei11Er8

Eating Disorders in Pregnancy:

Pregnancy and the months after giving birth can be a challenging time, especially if you have an eating disorder now or have experienced one in the past. Some common triggers include:

  • People commenting on your size or shape
  • Morning sickness bringing back difficult thoughts or behaviours
  • Rapid changes in your body
  • Worries about breastfeeding
  • Pressure to “lose the baby weight”
  • Big changes in daily routines and relationships

How pregnancy can affect eating disorders

You may experience an eating disorder for the first time during pregnancy, or symptoms may return even if you have been well for a long time.

Some people find they cope well during pregnancy for their baby’s sake but struggle again after birth.

Women with a history of an eating disorder have a higher risk of pregnancy complications and postnatal depression, so getting support early is very important.

When to seek help

Please reach out as soon as you feel you need support as early recognition is key.

You can speak to:

  • Your GP
  • Your midwife
  • Your obstetrician
  • Ask for a referral to your local Perinatal Mental Health Team or your local Specialist Eating Disorder Service

You deserve support at every stage of pregnancy and after birth.

Thinking about pregnancy in the future

If you have a history of an eating disorder and are planning a pregnancy, you can be referred for a pre-conception appointment with the Perinatal Mental Health Team.
This appointment is a space to discuss possible risks, your mental health and your medications and ways to prepare safely.

If appropriate they can refer you to the Perinatal Loss and Trauma Therapy Service (PLATTS) which provides therapy for people dealing with difficult or traumatic experiences around pregnancy or birth.

Resources

Emergency Help

If someone is in medical danger (e.g., fainting, severe dehydration), call 999 or go to A&E immediately.

You Are Not Alone

Recovery is possible. Support is available for you and your loved ones. First step: Contact your GP or TALKWORKS or NHS Talking therapies (Plymouth) today.