I don't know what to do now, nhs say they can't help me

[notMissgusting]

after plucking up the courage to go to see my gp and asking for help for my eating disorder he referred me to the mental health team.
I was so proud of myself and the relief felt amazing.
Today someone from the mental health team called to talk over my needs before directing me to the most appropriate person/treatment.

BUT she basically told me that there is no funding for eating disorders and they could do no more than recommend a book and send me a list of private counsellors in the area.

I feel devastated and there is no way I can afford to pay for counselling. I dont know where to turn now, I feel so let down and alone.
Can you lovely people help me again please?

There are lots of charities that offer free or low cost counselling - have a look at your local MIND - they may be able to help.

Sorry you haven't been better signposted but congratulations on making steps to work through your illness.

thank you, I have just emailed MIND. Hopefully they can help too.

Hi, I remember your previous thread

Try OverEaters Anonymous www.oagb.org.uk

Hello and thank you for the link
I have looked at their website and played with the idea. I'm concerned about the clear links with religion though, the 12 steps are very much to do with having faith in God and I'm afraid I do not. Also, not sure I'd be ready to sit with a group of people...

The 12-steps are not so much religious - they are about a God or a greater power as YOU understand him/her/it

Have a look at bEat if you haven't already

Am rather at what you've been told as for example the hospital in Warwick has an eating disorder clinic where I was referred for binge eating and there is also a treatement centre at the Queen Elizabeth in Birmingham. There must be more.

thank you willsurvivethis, that is encouraging. I was shocked today when I was told that, I had assumed I would get help and how wrong I was. I just sobbed and sobbed down the phone, the poor lady I spoke to must have felt quite uncomfortable!

I will give OA some more thought in light of what you have said. I suppose I'm just scared and dismissing things too quickly.

thanks again. off for a long soak and an early night now, I feel drained.

I can echo the sentiments expressed by Iwill Survive re 12 Steps

Think in the States it is a bit more faith based but in UK 'God' is more what you understand 'Him' to be... does not need to be in a religious sense, IYSWIM... more spiritual (ie faith in oneself, friends, family etc)

Keep going, you've come so far in getting things moving

Don't dismiss the idea of the book. If it's NHS recommended it's probably full of good tools that a therapist would use. You could try it and perhaps come on here to discuss ideas/what you are learning?