How to access specialized public care for eating disorders in Catalonia
Faced with a case of eating disorder (ED) , many families do not know how to act and where to go to receive an initial diagnostic assessment. It is important to remember that early detection and the start of specialized treatment mean a better prognosis.
It is important to know that each autonomous community or country has its own healthcare circuits, although they do not differ much from what we have in Catalonia and which we will explain in this article. In any case, if you are reading us outside of Catalonia we recommend that you consult the TCA associations at a state level and that they can advise you on the steps to take.
I suspect my daughter or son has an eating disorder, what should I do?
What to do if you suspect anorexia or bulimia?
Request a visit to your Primary Care Center (CAP)
The public mental health system in Catalonia is divided into several health regions. Depending on the place of residence, each person has a Primary Care Center (CAP), a Child and Youth Mental Health Center (CSMIJ) or Adult Mental Health Center (CSMA) and a referral Mental Health Hospital. Emergencies must be treated at the referral hospital. It should be noted that there are centers that offer services in partnership with the private sector.
When there is a suspicion of a case of ED, it is recommended that the first assessment be carried out at the Primary Care Center (CAP). Therefore, this is the first step that must be taken. In this center, the professionals who will carry out the assessment will be pediatricians (until the person is 14 years old) or family medicine professionals (general practitioners), from the age of 15. They will also be cared for by their reference nurses. The CAPs also have professionals from the social field to intervene in this process if necessary.
This first contact with health professionals is very important as it is the beginning of the healthcare circuit. It is key to detect an eating disorder in time and start specialized treatment. It is also important to remember that, in this phase of suspicion or seeking help, entities specialized in eating disorders, such as the Association Against Anorexia and Bulimia (ACAB) , can greatly help affected people and families, informing and advising throughout this process.
If the suspicion is strong, you will be referred to a specialized center.
The next step is referral, for diagnostic confirmation or initiation of treatment. In this case, if the person is between 6 and 17 years old, they will be referred to a Child and Youth Mental Health Center (CSMIJ). And if the person is already 18 years old or older, they will be referred to an Adult Mental Health Center (CSMA). In these facilities, care will be provided by a multidisciplinary team made up of professionals in psychology, psychiatry and nurses. If the CSMIJ or CSMA team so indicates, the person can begin treatment at the Children and Youth Community Day Hospital or the Adult Community Day Hospital. These facilities also incorporate professionals from the educational and social fields, who accompany people in their overall recovery within their educational, social and work environment.
There are also Units specialized in eating disorders that offer different intensities of treatment:
- External consultations
- Day Hospitals (Partial Hospitalization)
- Total hospitalization (24 hours).
- Home treatment.
In these highly specialized devices, comprehensive care is also offered by an interdisciplinary team.
Finally, in this public healthcare circuit we find the High Complexity Unit for ATT for children and young people (under 18 years old) and the High Complexity Unit for adults (over 18 years old). These units can only be accessed from the specialized ATT units. Assistance is also provided by an interdisciplinary team.
It is very important to remember that the Emergency services are always available for urgent psychiatric or medical evaluation, at any time in the process.
Admissions to specialized units must be made on a scheduled basis from the different devices mentioned above.
If you have to take care of your child, you can request a paid reduction in working hours.
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