Eating disorders (young people)
Staying in hospital
When someone with an eating disorder is severely underweight, seriously unwell or refusing treatment they are sometimes advised to stay in hospital. Most will be treated as an outpatient but some will be admitted and treated as an ‘inpatient’. They are then treated in hospital in order to stabilise their health and help them participate in treatment.
James felt that his anorexia nervosa was so severe that the only thing that could stop his eating...
James felt that his anorexia nervosa was so severe that the only thing that could stop his eating...
- Being very unwell and/or underweight
- Outpatient treatment (outside of hospital) not being successful
- Needing to remove young people from their home environment because it was contributing to them being ill.
Sometimes people relapsed after coming out of hospital and had to go back in again, several times.
People were often scared when they first went into hospital. They were often very ill at the time and afraid of losing control over the routines and habits that they had developed. Steph said, “It’s when they take away all your coping mechanisms, [you] feel so bare and vulnerable”. People could feel very ill physically and suffer from exhaustion. James was so ill at admission he was having “hallucinations and hearing voices”.
When she was in an environment which she found scary, Rebekah found it difficult to challenge the...

When she was in an environment which she found scary, Rebekah found it difficult to challenge the...
It’s a scary time being away from home and especially when you know you’ve got these emotions, these issues, these problems in your head. You try and have like, you’re trying to overcome them, you’re trying to battle through the like, the voices like of the eating disorder every day and then it’s like, you’re placed into an environment and, you don’t know anyone and you’re forced to eat and, it is scary.
Being admitted was a surreal experience for Annabelle. She felt different to the “real anorexics”...
Being admitted was a surreal experience for Annabelle. She felt different to the “real anorexics”...
Life on a ward involved adapting to different routines and activities. Treatment consisted of individual therapy, group therapies (such as art therapy) and workshops. For many, talking treatments were essential in recovery. (See ‘Talking therapies’).Workshops often involved practical activities, such as cooking skills, beauty treatments/massage and creative writing. Sometimes people would join outings to the cinema or day trips. There was also free time for watching TV or resting.
Chloe found practical work with her occupational therapist helpful. They worked on her...

Chloe found practical work with her occupational therapist helpful. They worked on her...
James felt like he was being punished when he was on constant observation. He felt his “dignity”...
James felt like he was being punished when he was on constant observation. He felt his “dignity”...
Eva liked having a quiet, stress-free space in hospital where she could sit her GCSE exams.
Eva liked having a quiet, stress-free space in hospital where she could sit her GCSE exams.
Spending time with other people with eating disorders wasn’t always helpful. Many shared a perfectionist mindset and some people described the atmosphere among patients as a competition over “who was thinnest” or “who could eat the meal with the lowest calories”. Some of the things they learnt during inpatient care were unhelpful in recovery. Observing others, newcomers soon picked up “tricks of the trade”; for example how to try and minimise calorie intake, exercise in secret or try and trick the scales. Many had been unaware of such behaviours before; Felicity said she went in “as a novice anorexic”.
Zoe was the youngest patient on the ward. Seeing older patients whose lives had been ruined by...
Zoe was the youngest patient on the ward. Seeing older patients whose lives had been ruined by...
Learning to eat well again; nourishing the body properly and learning how to deal with food in a balanced way is the main aim of inpatient care. James compared food to “medicine” that they were “prescribed”. It was often very difficult for people to let go of control over food and found it hard to follow the ward's mealtimes and routines. Mealtimes could be “tense” and “awkward” and take hours. People with eating disorders often struggle to eat with others, which could add to the pressure.
Annabelle explains the difference between the supervised and non-supervised tables on the ward.
Annabelle explains the difference between the supervised and non-supervised tables on the ward.
Sara explains how the NG tube is inserted. She had a lot of complications with the tube getting...
Sara explains how the NG tube is inserted. She had a lot of complications with the tube getting...
Steph felt that being fed by NG tube was a relief but she was also scared not to be able to...
Steph felt that being fed by NG tube was a relief but she was also scared not to be able to...
“Being sectioned” refers to the process when someone is required to be assessed, held against their will (detained) or treated by law. It often happens when someone is so ill they are “unable or unwilling” to agree or ‘consent’ to go to hospital by themselves.
Being sectioned was a turning point for Nikki. She decided to accept help and put her trust in...
Being sectioned was a turning point for Nikki. She decided to accept help and put her trust in...
Fiona-Grace was sectioned because she didn’t comply with treatment. Being detained made her angry...
Fiona-Grace was sectioned because she didn’t comply with treatment. Being detained made her angry...
Staying in a private clinic for 6 weeks was the 'best thing' Annabelle ever did.

Staying in a private clinic for 6 weeks was the 'best thing' Annabelle ever did.
Nikki says inpatient care saved her life. She learnt a lot about life and about human suffering.
Nikki says inpatient care saved her life. She learnt a lot about life and about human suffering.
Charlotte compares the care she received between an NHS and a private clinic.
Charlotte compares the care she received between an NHS and a private clinic.
Leaving hospital (being discharged) was a process that usually happened over a period of time. Before discharge, people usually spent time at home at weekends, for example, or went first back to school. Moving from living on a ward to life at home could be a big change. It was often managed by a transition to outpatient care (treatment whilst living away from the hospital), with intensive home care. However, a couple of people said they left with no plan for their care in place.
Zoe decided to leave the hospital quite early on in her recovery. She felt anxious about missing...
Zoe decided to leave the hospital quite early on in her recovery. She felt anxious about missing...
Last reviewed October 2018.
Last updated July 2015.