Demand for eating disorder support in South Yorkshire has spiked so high that a leading organisation has had to stop accepting GP referrals.

The South Yorkshire Eating Disorder Association (SYEDA) are based in Upperthorpe and provide therapeutic and practical support for those in the area.

Due to an overwhelming demand for the service, SYEDA have currently stopped new referrals from people with a registered GP in Rotherham, Barnsley and Doncaster.

Next week is Eating Disorders Awareness week (EDAW), and this year it is focusing on binge eating.

A spokesperson  for SYEDA said :”Binge eating disorder is the most common but often the least understood. It is especially difficult to find treatment and our Helpline Advisors consistently hear that people with binge eating disorder experience significant shame and fear in reaching out for support.”

Over the course of Eating Disorders Awareness Week the South Yorkshire Eating Disorder Association will be supporting BEAT and their campaign to raise awareness about binge eating disorder.

There will be an instagram live on @beatedsupport with Beat ambassador @zo_john and @recoveryispossibleuk

Binge eating disorder involves regularly eating a lot of food over a short period of time until you’re uncomfortably full. Binges can be planned or unplanned, and sometimes centre around particular ‘binge foods’.

Binge eating disorder will affect 1 in 50 people over their life time.

One student of Sheffield university said “It’s like a switch is turned on in your mind and the only thing you can do is eat until you physically cannot anymore. It’s terrifying because it’s like the real you is still in your head but has no power over what you are doing and you’ve suddenly become something else.”

Beat’s Helplines are open 9am – 8pm weekdays and 4pm – 8pm weekends and bank holidays on 0808 801 0677. We support anyone affected by binge eating disorder, whether you’re worried about yourself or someone you know.