AN AUDIT OF PEOPLE WITH EATING DISORDERS TREATED BY ADULT MENTAL-HEALTH-SERVICES

This paper presents the results of an audit of people with eating diso rders treated by adult mental health services. Information was obtaine d about the severity and nature of the eating disorder, treatment rece ived and outcome of treatment for 128 clients who were assessed or tre ated for an eating disorder by eight adult mental health teams or ment al health dietitians between April and September 1994 (inclusive). The se teams serve a population of 541 986. Referral races corresponded wi th those reported by previous studies. Psychiatric comorbidity was com monly reported, particularly depression, however low levels of purging behaviours and alcohol and drug abuse suggest that these behaviours w ere underreported by clients. The role of generic mental health servic es in the treatment of people with eating disorders is discussed.