Last week was Eating Disorders Awareness Week and Charlotte Shepherd spoke to Pat Ayres MBE who for the last eight years has been a friendly ear in Cirencester for sufferers and their families.

"IT IS an awful illness to cope with. I don't think people realise the effect it has on the whole family," said Pat Ayres, who runs a Cirencester self-help group for people suffering with eating disorders.

Mrs Ayres, 65, knows too well about how a whole family can be touched by this mental illness as her own daughter had an eating disorder 20 years ago. "She was very poorly. When we needed help there was none and we struggled on for five years alone. We felt that we were judged by other people who believed us to be doing something wrong as parents," she explained.

Spurred on by her own experience Mrs Ayres set up the Cirencester branch of beat (beating eating disorders) eight years ago.

Often it will be the parents of children who have eating disorders who find solace in attending the group meetings. "We get a mixture attending our meetings - carers and sufferers. Our group is non-judgmental and we see everyone. One mum said that this is her one night out when she can talk and shout and let it all out. A lot of her friends don't understand what she is going through."

As well as the self-help group, sufferers in Gloucestershire are lucky to have a dedicated NHS eating disorder team based in Gloucester.

Eating disorders are a serious mental illness affecting 1.6 million people in the UK. Although women and young girls make up the majority of cases, the charity beat estimates that 10 percent of sufferers are male.

An eating disorder can manifest itself in many different ways including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating and compulsive overeating.

It is unlikely that an eating disorder will result from a single cause but may be a combination of many factors leading to the sufferer feeling unable to cope.

"Sufferers see their eating disorder as the only thing they can control in their lives," said Mrs Ayres.

While the first port of call for anyone with an eating disorder should be the GP, there are other methods of helping to regain control over the illness.

Tayma Wallbridge from Castle Eaton, is a solution focused hynotherapist who sees clients suffering from a range of eating disorders.

All have recognised that they have a problem and want to change.

A solution focused hypnotherapist looks for solutions in life rather than focusing on the actual problem.

"Generally speaking eating disorders are a symptom of an excess of anxiety and I try to reduce that anxiety and get the client to look at how they would like their future to be. Once people start to get control over their life then the symptoms can go," Mrs Wallbridge explained.

"For some people their stress levels are so high that they will focus on food, whereas others might use alcohol or self-harm," she said.

Helping clients to regain control of their thinking can lead to them having control over their eating disorder.

"It's so rewarding being able to help them visualise their problem-free future Once they can visualise it their mind can find subconscious ways of making their preferred future a reality," she said.

Mrs Ayres recognises that what works for one person will not for work for another. "There is no quick fix," she said. "There is no medical cure but there are lots of therapies you can try such as counselling, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and hynotherapy. If one thing doesn't work for you, then try something else."

Her own daughter has come a long way towards recovery in 20 years. "Knowing that she was loved by her family helped her," said Mrs Ayres.

*The Cirencester branch of Beat runs a drop in every 1st Wednesday of the month at St Peter's lounge, St Peter's Court at 7.30-8.45pm. Call Pat Ayres on 01285 770385.

*UK charity beat provides support on 0845 634 1414 (adults) and 0845 634 7650 (youth). Or go to www.b-eat.co.uk.

* To find a solution focused hynotherapist in your area visit www.afsfh.eu

SIGNS TO WATCH OUT FOR*: Although many people make a full recovery from their eating disorder, it can happen that an emotional trauma such as relationship breakdown or bereavement may trigger its return. It is important that the sufferer recognises the signs and seeks early help in order to halt the progress of this sometimes deadly illness.

* Mood swings - personality changes and mood swings are often experienced: these can be far more extreme and unpredictable than normal teenage moodiness.

* Eating habits - rigid or obsessive eating habits, cutting food into tiny pieces and refusing to eat in front of anyone except close family members.

* Clothing - many layers of loose baggy clothing both hide weight loss and keep the sufferer warm.

* Vomiting/laxative use is a sign of anorexia as well as bulimia.

* Excessive exercise to prevent weight gain at the very least and sometimes to induce further weight loss.

* Restlessness and hyperactivity.

IF YOU THINK SOMEONE CLOSE TO YOU HAS AN EATING DISORDER:

* Firstly, listen and support in a non-judgemental way so that your friend or family member will learn to trust you and the support you are giving.

* Encourage them to visit their GP or, if a minor, make an appointment at the earliest opportunity.

* Find out as much as you can about an eating disorder so you will be able to understand mood swings, expressions of anger or times when the person seems isolated and withdrawn.

* You will need to understand the particular pressures people affected by eating disorders can feel especially around food and weight issues.

* Try not to give advice or criticism, but give time and listen. You don't have to know all the answers but just being there is the key.

*(Information provided by beat)