As high-school finished it became clear that Issy was ill. I couldn’t sort it all out and make her better. This is where FREED came in. Thankfully, Issy fitted the criteria to be treated as part of this project and they able to see her within a couple of weeks. The only hold up was the problem of paying for the treatment. It took quite a bit of phoning around and detective work to speak to the commissioner and have the funding agreed. This was a difficult time. Issy was anxious to start treatment and worried that if she put on any weight at all she’d be told, “actually you don’t need help now”. Even in that short waiting time she lost more weight.
The treatment itself was tough. For the next year or so Issy and I were regular visitors to the Eating Disorders unit at the Maudsley. Issy’s therapy sessions focused very much on Issy and her own personal eating disorder. There was no talk of why she was ill or whose fault it was. There was a clear focus on what was keeping her in the eating disorder and what was making it hard for her to move on. These things quickly became the focus of Issy’s sessions. FREED gave them the freedom to personalise Issy’s treatment and adapt it to exactly what Issy needed at that time.
"FREED was brilliant for Issy. There was a rapid response at a time when she was falling deeper into her illness. The programme was personalised with Issy at the centre."
Help & Support
The sooner you seek support, the sooner things can start to get better. We can help you find the right option for you.
Don’t want to use the tool? Download our guide to seeking help and support for more general information and advice.