Eating disorders helpline extends hours to meet demand

A HELPLINE set up for people with eating disorders is extending its service in order to deal with an expected 50-60% rise in calls over Christmas and New Year.

Gerry Campion, Co-ordinator of the Marino Therapy Centre in Dublin said the season to eat, drink and be merry was a time of unbearable pain and guilt for people who suffered from anorexia or bulimia.

Mr Campion said individuals with “eating distress” dread the countdown to Christmas. Anorexics are under increased pressure to eat whilst bulimics feel there is too much in the way of exotic and luscious foods on offer.

Christmas is also a time when families have more rows than usual. But at the same time everyone is supposed to be happy because it is Christmas. So people turn to food as a solution, he said.

The Marino Therapy centre treats 200 people a week and its dedicated helpline receives an average of 50 calls a day but this number is expected to rise by up to 60% in the week before Christmas.

Mr Campion said the helpline hours would be extended on December 12th to coincide with the rise in calls. The helpline currently operates on Mondays, Wednesday and Friday’s from 6-8pm.

Volunteers will man the line on daily basis from December 12th to 24th from 6pm to 8pm.

Mr Campion said it could be a great a source of consolation for sufferers to know that the helpline was available during their time of need.

“The fact that the helpline is there can take a lot of the stress away even if they never call. Some people don’t even need to ring it. It is a safety net for them. It is important for people to know practitioners from the centre man the helpline and people who have recovered from eating distress,” he said “People are coming forward for help which is a good thing. We have an increasing number of males coming forward too.”

The helpline can be contacted on 01 8333 063.