As anyone who is in recovery from anorexia will know, it is not something which is possible without a good support system. While family members and friends are an important source of help, professional support is usually crucial to restore weight and work on issues underlying the eating disorder.
What is a Community Psychiatric Nurse?
A community psyciatric nurse, commonly known as a CPN is likely to play a key role within the treatment team of health professionals supporting individuals suffering from anorexia nervosa. The CPN will liase with other members of the care team, which may include the following: patient's family doctor (GP), consultant psychiatrist, dietitian, therapist and social worker. He or she may also be a link between the inpatient, daypatient and outpatient mental health care settings, as well as keeping parents and/oror partners in touch with care issues. When a patient is close to being discharged from inpatient eating disorder treatment, it is the CPN who will provide crucial support and a vital point of contact as the patient reintegrates into the community.
Benefits of CPN in Anorexia Recovery
Due to the fact that a lapse can very quickly turn into a potentially harmful and serious relapse, it is very useful to have a CPN who one can see on a regular basis. This means that it is easier to identify triggers and catch the eating disorder before it spirals out of control. A major benefit of having a CPN is that he or she is able to prevent unnecessary hospitalisations through providing valuable support whilst living at home. If things start to get out of control or the patient becomes suicidal, the CPN is able to get an emergencey appointment with a psychiatrist. As anorexia recovery is often a lengthy journey, the CPN is able to provide ongoing advice and help, long after a course of therapy, such as cognitive behaviour therapy, family therapy or cognitive analytic therapy has ended. Regular weight monitoring may also be undertaken by a CPN.
If you believe you could benefit from the support of having a CPN, it is well worth talking to either your GP, therapist or psychiatrist. Each of these health professionals may be able to provide you with a referral. For more information on the role of the CPN in mental health care, it is advisable to contact your treatment team or mental health charity, MIND, which has branches all over the UK.
Kate Le Page - Kate Henning-Le Page writes about eating disorders, body image and recovery issues. She specializes in anorexia recovery.
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