‘I didn't want to just be alive, I wanted to be well’: Eating disorder clinic marks 10 years of helping people
Patients shared their stories on the 10-year anniversary of the Adult Eating Disorders Services (AEDS) program at the London Health Sciences Centre.
THE AEDS program has helped more than 1,400 people through its outpatient, day treatment and residential services.
Since 2012, the program has helped adults around the province struggling with eating disorders including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder.
“You’re living but your quality of life is so important,” said Jocelyn Rasmussen, a former patient who said she has struggled with an eating disorder since she was 10 years old. “I don’t want to just be alive, I want to be well.”
“I couldn't keep food in my body, I was hungry all the time, I was desperate to figure out how to eat in a way to sustain my life,” Rasmussen recalled her time at the clinic Thursday.
After receiving treatment at the day program at the AEDS four years ago, Rasmussen told CTV News her quality of life has improved, however, she still has triggers.
“I keep using the tools I need, there are things that I do that help me and I reach out for help,” she said.
Her advice to those struggling with an eating disorder, “the first step is to accept it, the second is to ask for help.”
The program gets more than 300 referrals per year, according to the LHSC and provides a 20 week residential program with care around the clock.
“We knew that there were big gaps in services. It was really enticing to develop a program from the ground up,” said Elizabeth Phoenix, a nurse practitioner at the clinic.
“When we were able to offer in 2016 outpatient individual treatment that really opened things up for accessibility for treatment to a whole range of folks.”
Their goal is to also educate family and friends about eating disorders in order to provide continued support to the patient.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.