Irish Eating Disorders Centre

23/02/2026

Feeling overwhelmed by your thoughts? Try counting backwards from 100 by threes.

20/02/2026

Are you tuning in to the Winter Games? ❄️🎿

As we marvel at the incredible feats of athletes on the world stage, there is a silent struggle often happening behind the scenes. Did you know that athletes have a three to five times increased risk of developing disordered eating compared to the general population?

In this video, Olympian Alice Merryweather shares her personal journey with an eating disorder that started after the 2018 Winter Games. Her story is a reminder that even the strongest among us can struggle.

If you or a loved one are struggling, you don't have to "power through" alone. We are here to help.

https://youtu.be/VXSBUuM-_hI?si=_e_5_wcWyPQuwTmX

"The Olympics are such a high for most athletes who go," Merryweather said. "What no one really prepares you for is how you feel after."More local videos her...

18/02/2026

Understanding OSFED: Why "Other" Doesn't Mean "Less"

When we talk about eating disorders, names like Anorexia or Bulimia often come to mind first. However, the most frequently diagnosed eating disorder in both adults and adolescents is actually OSFED (Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder).

At the Irish Eating Disorders Centre, we want to clear up a common misconception: OSFED is not a "mild" version of an eating disorder. It is a serious, complex, and potentially life-threatening mental illness that requires professional support and early intervention.

OSFED in Ireland: The Current Landscape
Recent data highlights that OSFED is a significant and growing concern within the Irish healthcare system:
Prevalence: OSFED (formerly known as EDNOS) accounts for approximately 19% of diagnosed cases in recent HSE data.
A Rising Trend: OSFED cases are part of a rising trend in Ireland, affecting people of all genders and ages.
Gender Neutrality: While historically thought to primarily affect young women, men now account for roughly 25% of all eating disorder cases in Ireland, with OSFED being a common diagnosis among them.

What Exactly is OSFED?
OSFED is a diagnosis given when a person presents with many symptoms of other eating disorders, such as restrictive eating, purging, or bingeing, but does not meet every technical requirement for those specific clinical labels.

The Reality: The medical complications, psychological distress, and "eating disorder thoughts" associated with OSFED are as severe and dangerous as any other diagnosis.

The Different Faces of OSFED
To help target the right treatment, OSFED may be further specified as:
🔴Atypical Anorexia Nervosa: All criteria for Anorexia are met, but despite significant weight loss, the individual’s weight remains within or above the normal range.
🔴Bulimia or Binge Eating Disorder (Low Frequency): Symptoms occur, but less than once a week or for less than three months.
🔴Purging Disorder: Recurrent purging behaviours used to influence weight or shape in the absence of binge eating.
🔴Night Eating Syndrome: Recurrent episodes of eating after awakening from sleep or excessive consumption after the evening meal, causing significant distress.

Early Intervention is Key- A diagnosis is a tool to help us understand your symptoms and find the right path to recovery. Whether you fit a specific category or your experience feels "somewhere in between," your struggle is valid and you deserve care. Early intervention is the most effective way to prevent long-term health risks and worsening symptoms.

Reach Out for Support If you or a loved one are struggling with disordered eating or body image, you don't have to face it alone.

Visit us at https://irisheatingdisorderscentre.ie/ to learn more about our specialised support and how we can help you on the journey toward healing.

16/02/2026

📢 Important Notice for Our Clients: New Parking Rules
If you have an upcoming appointment at Lighthouse Psychology or the Irish Eating Disorders Centre, please be aware that Ardkeen Shopping Centre has introduced new parking arrangements from Monday, 26 January.

To ensure your visit is as stress-free as possible, please take note of the following:

Free Period: The first 90 minutes of parking are free.

Extended Stays: If you plan on staying more than 90 minutes, a charge of €2 per hour applies (max €10/day).

Payment Method: Payment can ONLY be made via the Easytrip app.

Enforcement: Euro Car Parks monitors the area using camera technology. While warnings may be issued initially, repeat non-compliance may lead to clamping (€80 release fee).

💡 Our Recommendation
We highly recommend downloading and setting up the Easytrip app on your smartphone before your next appointment. This ensures that if your session runs over, you can manage your parking easily without any interruptions.

13/02/2026

High-intensity care. Zero hospital beds.

Sometimes, standard therapy isn’t enough, but a hospital admission feels like too much. Our program sits right in the middle. We provide the expertise of a full clinical team and consultant-led care while allowing you to remain at home.

This isn't a waiting room for the hospital, it’s the right care, in the right place, at the right time.

11/02/2026

Is it "just a phase" or is it something more?

It’s common for parents to wonder if a teen’s changing food habits are just a part of growing up. However, certain shifts can be early signals that they are struggling:
❗Sudden "food rules" or cutting out entire food groups.
❗Skipping meals or making excuses to eat alone.
❗Hiding food or a growing fixation on body weight/shape.

When it comes to eating disorders, early intervention is the most powerful tool for recovery. If your gut is telling you something is wrong, trust it.

We provide specialist-led, confidential care with no referral needed. You don’t have to navigate this journey alone.

🔗 https://irisheatingdisorderscentre.ie/

09/02/2026

Getting what you need shouldn’t mean losing your peace.

Do you ever find it hard to ask for what you need without feeling guilty or starting an argument?

At the Irish Eating Disorders Centre, we use Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) to help you navigate these tricky interpersonal waters. One of the most effective tools in the DBT toolkit is DEAR MAN.

This skill is designed to help you communicate your needs clearly and assertively while keeping your relationships healthy and your self-respect intact.

🔹 Describe the situation (stick to the facts!)
🔹 Express your feelings
🔹 Assert what you want
🔹 Reinforce the benefit to the other person
🔹 Mindful of your goal
🔹 Appear confident
🔹 Negotiate for a win-win

06/02/2026

In Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), a "dialectical" approach means finding the balance between two seemingly opposite ideas. This can be a powerful tool for people in recovery from eating disorders, where "black-and-white" or "all-or-nothing" thinking often occurs.

The core dialectic in recovery is Acceptance AND Change.

We can accept ourselves exactly as we are in this moment while simultaneously working toward a healthier, more fulfilled future. It’s not an "either/or" situation, it’s a "both/and" reality.

Here are a few ways to practice dialectical thinking today:
✨ I am doing the best I can AND I need to do better.
✨ I feel overwhelmed AND I can handle this moment.
✨ I want to recover AND I am afraid of the process.

Embracing the "AND" helps reduce the pressure of perfectionism and creates space for self-compassion.

Which of these dialectics resonates most with you today? Let us know in the comments. 👇

04/02/2026

When weekly sessions aren't holding the risk, it’s time for a different approach. Eating disorder recovery requires more than conversation, it requires a scaffold of support.

Our Intensive Outpatient Programme (IOP) is designed to:
✅ Stabilise risk without the need for hospital admission.
✅ Provide structure while you stay in the comfort of your own home.
✅ Deliver expert care through a highly coordinated clinical team.

🔗 https://irisheatingdisorderscentre.ie/

02/02/2026

Meet Eileen – Child & Adolescent Mental Health Specialist at Lighthouse

Since joining us last July, Eileen Carr has been a vital part of the Lighthouse team, bringing her immense expertise as a Child & Adolescent Mental Health Specialist and Holistic Therapy Practitioner.

Eileen is a dual-qualified Registered General and Mental Health Nurse with over 20 years of experience in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). Throughout her career, she has been a steady support for young people facing complex emotional and psychological challenges, with a deep-seated expertise in trauma, abuse, and emotional dysregulation.

Her dedication to healing has taken her across the globe, including humanitarian work in conflict zones like Iraq and Palestine. These experiences have given Eileen a unique and profound perspective on the resilience of families and the importance of compassionate, trauma-informed care.

Eileen is a strong advocate for a "whole-person" approach to wellbeing. Alongside her clinical nursing, she is trained in holistic therapies such as Reflexology, Indian Head Massage, and Lymphatic Drainage. She loves how these practices can naturally support sleep and stress management when integrated with traditional psychological supports like psychotherapy and CBT.

Whether she is supporting children, adolescents, or families, Eileen’s goal is always to create a safe, nurturing environment where everyone feels seen and heard. We are so proud to have her wealth of experience and her compassionate spirit at the heart of our team!

30/01/2026

When "once a week" isn't enough, but the hospital isn't the answer.

We know there is a difficult "middle ground" in eating disorder recovery. You’re medically stable, but the psychological battle feels constant.

Our Intensive Outpatient Programme (IOP) is designed specifically for this gap. It provides hospital-level clinical thinking while allowing you to stay in your own home.

- More than therapy: Multiple sessions per week for consistent support.
- Expert Oversight: Consultant-led care for peace of mind.
- Safety First: A structured environment built for high-risk recovery.

🔗https://lighthousepsychology.ie/

28/01/2026

Did you know that even mild dehydration can mimic the feelings of anxiety? 💧

When we talk about recovery, we often talk about "brain fuel." Our brains are about 75% water. When we aren’t hydrated, it becomes much harder to:
✨ Regulate our emotions
✨ Challenge "disorder" thoughts
✨ Concentrate on the things that matter to us

Hydration is a simple act of kindness to your nervous system. Today, try to view a glass of water or a cup of tea as a way to quiet the noise and bring a little more peace to your mind. 🌿

Take it one sip at a time. You’re doing great.