The majority of those suffering with an eating disorder receive treatment on an out-patient basis. This means having therapy such as counselling and seeing a dietician, as well as close physical monitoring by either an eating disorder specific psychiatrist or a GP, while still remaining in the community.

However, when an eating disorder is severe it can be life threatening and as a result some people will need to go into hospital. You may also need to go into hospital if despite out-patient care you continue to deteriorate. This is more likely to happen with Anorexia rather than any other eating disorder.

When a practitioner at the out-patient eating disorder service believes going into hospital (also known as going in-patient) is required they will suggest this to the sufferer. It is preferred that the sufferer agrees to go into hospital willingly, however if the sufferer refuses but continues to deteriorate then it may be required to section them. It is thought that if the sufferer goes willingly they are more likely to be co-operative with treatment, and sectioning does have negative implications for the future.

It does vary from area to area but generally a sufferer of anorexia can be forced into hospital/sectioned when their BMI reaches 13.5.If you are going into hospital willingly you are likely to be given a day or two to organise yourself ready for being admitted, however sometimes when there is great physical risk admission may be immediate.

Upon entering an eating disorder unit some basic medical tests will be required, this is likely to be mainly done through blood tests. The Dr at the unit will also take a medical history and you will be assigned your key worker.

On an eating disorders unit generally you will have your own room, however sometimes you may share a room with another patient. In my experience life on an eating disorders unit is very structured. There are likely to be three meals and three snacks a day - you should get a choice of meals though you will be encouraged to have a varied diet. You are aloud to be vegetarian but not vegan. You are not expected to have full portions straight away –you will be built up to this, likely within the first two weeks. If you can not complete a meal or do not finish it within the set time you will be given a nutritional supplement drink.

Following meal times you have observation – that is you sit in a lounge area along with everyone else and are watched by a member of staff. This is to ensure that you don’t purge or exercise.

Once a week you are likely to see the psychiatrist who, along with your key worker, the ward Dr and anyone else involved in your care will discuss your progress. If you have any questions then is the time to ask them.

As you are on the unit because of the immediate physical danger, care is more focused on stabilising your physical health rather than your mental health. If you are already receiving therapy this will continue on the unit. You will also regularly see a dietician and on some units art therapy is available. Of cause this is in addition to the support of the regular nursing staff.

As you progress through treatment you will receive more privileges, for example this may start with being aloud to leave the unit for 15 minutes to go to the shop. From here privileges grow to half day leave, full day leave and then the weekend at home. Providing all is going well you will spend more and more time back at home before eventual discharge from the unit.

Upon discharge a package of care should be organised to ensure you are equipped to cope at home and this is likely to include some therapy and on going physical monitoring which should be available for at least a year.