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
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