Does anyone have any experience with claiming DLA for a client with Anorexia and depression - line to take etc ?

Attention in connection with the bodily function of eating in the form of encouragement to exercise the function would seem to be a good starter?

Not a good typist and quite an long response so if you would like ring me on 01249 445115x0 in the morning period and happy to discuss.

P.S ask for Neil

I dealt with a case for someone with anorexia a few years ago. She was originally turned down but awarded mrc on review. I can't remember all the details now, but one of the main arguements I used was that she needed help frequently throughout the day in conncection with eating. I said that as well as needing encouragement to eat food at mealtimes (i.e 3 times a day), she also needed help at other times to think about planning meals, and if you like 'advance encouragement' to eat the next meal. I think she was also on food supplements, and again needed encouragement to take these. If your client needs encouragement to have drinks between meals this could also count.

Hi Mike, in answer to your first question no i haven't done any DLA stuff relating to anorexia - but i worked for a NHS mental health trust and one of my colleagues covered an eating disorders ward and did mega amounts of DLA forms.

From what i can remember - there were supervision issues relating to self neglect and the damaging impact anorexia had on essential body organs,bone density and eyes and skin, body insulation issues and immune system etc i.e. if we don't get essential vitamins, minerals etc etc and the obvious attention issues mentioned.

there was stuff relating to going to the loo - heavy duty constipation - which similar to the above can also affect cognitive functioning because we are not releasing all the toxins etc.

cognitive impairment from lack of food, vitamins, essential minerals, fibre etc

Also apparently a lot of her clients had ritualised behaviour in the toileting area or extreme reluctance to poo, and would resist pooing to real extremes.

other areas relating to supervision e.g. self loathing leading to self harm, cutting self, suicidal ideation, actual attempts e.g. overdoses.

lot of anger, aggression, despair, sadness. areas around insight, being bed bound.

Mike, this is deliberately generalised to get some ideas going that might or might not apply to your client, although with your famed lateral thinking, forensic approach it won't be long before your writing fact sheets on the subject.

talking of which - check out some websites e.g. usual anorexia ones, institute of psychiatry i'm sure they do fact sheets, also check out the south london & maudsley NHS trust website because they have a specialist ward drawing patients from all over the country, i would be tempted to give them a ring (it's a therapeutic setting not an A&E) and request info, lastly on the same website they should have the contact details for the Bethlem Royal welfare dept, at least one of the welfs cover the eating disorders ward, might be worth picking their brains.

see ya andy

mmm - and/ or mis-use of laxatives too (sorry if someone's already mentioned this and I missed it...)

In general just to agree that I usually end up trying to show both frequent attention throughout the day (and sometimes prolonged/ repeated at night if it's relevant) along with supervisory grounds centred around the risks mentioned above and - ultimately, the potential for death, which, sadly, can be a very real one.