Eating Disorders

What is an eating disorder?

An eating disorder is a mental health condition where someone uses food to cope with difficult feelings or situations. This might mean eating too much, too little, or worrying constantly about weight or body shape.

Anyone can develop an eating disorder, but they're most common in teenagers and young adults. The good news is that with proper treatment, most people can recover completely.

Types of eating disorders

Anorexia nervosa (anorexia) This is when someone tries to control their weight by not eating enough food, doing too much exercise, or both.

Bulimia This involves losing control over eating, then taking extreme steps to avoid putting on weight (like being sick or taking laxatives).

Binge eating disorder This means eating very large amounts of food until feeling uncomfortably full.

Other eating disorders Some people have eating disorders that don't fit exactly into these categories, but they're still serious and need treatment.

Warning signs to watch for

If you're worried about yourself or someone else, look out for these signs:

Changes in behaviour:

• Spending lots of time worrying about weight and body shape
• Avoiding social events that involve food
• Eating very little or making yourself sick after eating
• Doing too much exercise
• Having very strict rules about food
• Mood changes like feeling withdrawn, anxious or sad

Physical signs:

• Feeling cold, tired or dizzy
• Pains or tingling in arms and legs
• Heart beating very fast or feeling faint
• Stomach problems like bloating or constipation
• Weight that's very high or low for your age and height
• Missing periods or delayed signs of growing up

Red flags - when to get urgent help

Speak to your GP immediately if you notice:

• Severe weight loss
• Fainting or feeling faint regularly
• Heart problems or chest pain
• Severe mood changes or thoughts of self-harm

Getting help

If you think you might have an eating disorder, speak to your GP as soon as possible. They'll ask about your eating habits and feelings, check your health, and may refer you to specialists.

It can be really hard to admit there's a problem. You might want to bring a trusted friend or family member to your appointment for support.

You can also call the Beat helpline on 0808 801 0677 for confidential support and advice.

Helping someone else

If you're worried about a friend or family member:

• Let them know you care about them
• Encourage them to see their GP
• Offer to go with them to the appointment
• Be patient - they might not be ready to accept help straight away

Treatment and recovery

Recovery is possible, though it takes time and looks different for everyone. Treatment usually involves talking therapy and regular health check-ups. Some people might work through guided self-help programmes.

The most important thing to remember is that eating disorders are treatable mental health conditions, not lifestyle choices. With the right support, people can and do recover.

If you're struggling with food, weight, or body image, you're not alone and help is available. Speak to your GP to take the first step towards getting better.

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Based on NHS.uk guidance. Written by Dr Krishnan Pasupathi, NHS GP.