Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses that can affect people of any weight, shape, gender, ethnicity, and background (BEAT, n.d.).

Those with eating disorders often use food as a way to cope with emotional problems, difficult situations or strong feelings. Often, the problem is not with food itself but with how people are using it to cope or feel in control.

Types of eating disorders

• Anorexia Nervosa
• Bulimia Nervosa
• Binge Eating Disorder
• Atypical Eating Disorders (also known as ‘Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder’ – OSFED)
• Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID)

Eating disorders…

Are amongst the most severe physical and mental health conditions experienced by children and young people, causing significant impairment to physical and psychological functioning (BEAT, n.d.).

There are different types of eating disorders with lots of overlapping symptoms. People may move between diagnoses if their behaviours change. These symptoms may include limiting food intake, eating large quantities of food at once, getting rid of food by unhealthy means (vomiting, misusing laxatives, excessive exercise or fasting) or a combination of these behaviours.

Potential signs of an eating disorder

• Negative about self and appearance​
• A change in self-worth and self-esteem dependent on weight/ appearance​
• Fear of eating in front of others/in public​
• Unusual food rituals​
• New fad diets/foods avoided​
• Obsessive interest in cooking, cooking shows​
• Eating only safe or healthy foods
• Seeing friends or family less – isolating self​
• Excuses for not eating​
• Cooking for others but not eating the food themselves​
• Irritability​
• Mood swings​
• Rigid routines and behaviours​
• Exercising – solo, even when ill/injured​
• Hyperactivity and Restlessness
• Loss of weight
• Loss of periods in females
• Increased restriction, control of eating, and rituals around food and eating
• Preoccupation with eating, exercise, tracking intake and weight
• Frequent or long visits to the bathroom
• Reduced interest in other day to day or school activities

Remember!

Everybody with an eating disorder will have unique struggles and therefore different challenges to overcome. It is important to be open, curious, and understanding when supporting someone with an eating disorder.

It Is possible to recover from an eating disorder, and many young people have gone on to live full and happy lives.