Eating disorders

byIsaac Mann/February 6, 2024/inNews

As Eating Disorder Awareness Week is wrapping up, we are taking this opportunity to educate our supporters on eating disorders, discuss the different types of eating disorders and provide useful resources for those that may be — or know someone who is — suffering from an eating disorder.

What is an eating disorder?

Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses affecting people of all ages, genders, ethnicities and backgrounds.

An eating disorder is when you have an unhealthy attitude towards food which can take over your everyday life and make you very poorly.

Food plays an important part in all of our lives and we all spend time thinking about what we have eaten, or what we’re going to eat. However when you have an eating disorder, you will often eat too much or too little and become obsessed with your weight and appearance.

Many people believe if someone has an eating problem, they will noticeably appear under or overweight –this is not true! Anyone regardless of their weight, age or gender can be seriously affected by an eating disorder.

Types of eating disorders:

Anorexia nervosa

When you try to keep your weight as low as possible by not eating enough food, exercising too much or both.

Bulimia

When you sometimes lose control and eat a lot of food in a very short amount of time and are then deliberately sick, use laxatives, restrict what you eat, or do too much exercise to try and stop yourself gaining weight.

Binge eating disorder

When you regularly lose control of your eating, eat large portions of food all at once until you feel uncomfortably full, and then are often upset or guilty.

Other specified feeding or eating disorder (OSFED)

When your symptoms don’t exactly match those of anorexia, bulimia or binge eating disorder, but it doesn’t mean it is a less serious illness

What can cause eating disorders?

We don’t know exactly what causes eating disorders. However you may be more likely to get an eating disorder if:

You have been criticised for your eating habits, body shape or weight
You or a family member has a history of eating disorders, depression or a drug addiction
You are involved in a career which promotes being thin and weight loss
You have anxiety, low self-esteem, an obsessive personality or you are a perfectionist
You have been sexually abused or suffered severe trauma in childhood

It can often be very difficult to identify that a loved one or a friend has developed an eating disorder

Warning signs to look out for include:

Dramatic weight loss
Lying about how much and when they have eaten or how much they weigh
Eating a lot of food very fast
Going to the bathroom a lot after eating, often returning feeling flushed
Feelings of anxiety about eating or digesting food
Obsessively exercising and sticking to a rigid diet
Cutting food into small pieces or eating very slowly
Avoiding eating with others or eating in secret
Checking bodyweight and comparing to others
Developing physical health problems

The first aid procedure for eating disorders

If you believe someone may have an eating problem, choose an appropriate place and time to speak to them where you will both feel comfortable and won’t be disturbed

Avoid approaching the person before, during or after meal times as this could make them feel uncomfortable and they may not want to talk about their situation
When the timing is right, tell the person why you are worried in an open and honest manner and ask how they are feeling
Do not centre the conversation around food or bodyweight as this could make them feel worse
Show empathy and listen non-judgementally
Allow the person plenty of time to discuss how they are feeling
You will need to explain to the person that you think their symptoms indicate a need to seek professional help
Assist and signpost to professional support such as their GP, if it’s appropriate. Ask them if they have a trusted family member or friend who can assist and support them

Signposting for eating disorders

If you need urgent help with your mental health, use one of the helpline services below. If you feel as though you or someone else is at risk of immediate harm, please call 999 immediately.

Beat

Helpline: 0808 801 0677
Email: help@beateatingdisorders.org.uk

Anorexia & Bulimia Care

Phone: 0300 011 1213

YoungMinds

Text YM to 85258 or visit https://www.youngminds.org.uk/

Samaritans

Helpline: 116 123
Email: jo@samaritans.org

Childline

Helpline: 0800 11 11

Eating disorders

What is an eating disorder?