A new study shows that 79% of women suffering from eating-related illnesses are concerned for their own safety during the third UK lockdown
Dr Courtney Raspin, Chartered Psychologist and Clinical Director of Altum Health, has published the findings of a new study directly targeted at people with eating-related conditions. The study was conducted in a bid to drive awareness for the urgent support needed as sufferers of eating disorders head into a new lockdown.
Findings from the study indicate that 79% of women suffering from eating-related illnesses are moving into a second Lockdown with very little support, leaving them scared, anxious and feeling out of control.
The study was highly defined and focussed on people who currently recognise their eating issues. 41% of these women were aged over 25 and a further 39% were aged just 21-24, a staggering 42% of this audience had been diagnosed with anorexia at some point in the past.
Isolating and loneliness
One statistic that highlights the immediate need for support is that whilst 45% of these sufferers lived with family during Lockdown, they still consider isolation and loneliness to be a major issue for them. This factor is a prescient warning of what’s to come, it’s a well-known fact that in many addictions and poor mental health cases, loneliness is widely recognised as a catalyst to relapse.
61% of people felt that their struggles with eating had become harder to manage and 54% said it had contributed to amplified anxiety and depression. It is increasingly evident to Dr Raspin that open and continued dialogue with this group of individuals is needed from the very start of this next Lockdown.
70% of the respondents said that associated conditions such as anxiety, stress and depression were much harder to manage than in normal everyday life scenarios as many of the usual support strategies have been withdrawn. Social media has without a doubt been the primary support for most people.
Dr Courtney Raspin, Founder of Altum Health, commented:
“My team and I experienced a large rise in calls into the clinic throughout the UK’s first Lockdown. During consultations, patients described themselves as anxious, depressed, and stressed; this was a clear indication that good mental health is at stake and that another Lockdown could drive people to breaking point if more support is not provided. Our main aim with the commissioning of this study is to highlight the immediate need for support in this area. It’s also why we released our Positivity Plan and are providing free consultations at Altum Health.”
