Eating disorders
Eating disorders can affect anyone; they affect people of all genders, ages, ethnicities and body types. Eating disorders are not a choice, and are not anyone’s fault.
Eating disorders are serious biologically and socially influenced mental illnesses which affect the body and the mind. They are common, and through the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a sharp increase in people presenting with severe eating disorders.
Symptoms include persistent disordered eating or eating-related behaviours which can damage health and cause emotional and social distress. In severe cases, they can be fatal.
Treatment and support is available to help you recover; it is possible to recover even after many years of illness.
There are different types of eating disorders; they include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, avoidant and restrictive food intake disorder and other specified feeding or eating disorder.
Your GP should be the first port of call to access help for eating disorders , but you can also talk to the following confidential services.
Support services for eating disorders
BEAT eating disorders
BEAT eating disorders is a UK charity with helplines open 365 days a year.
Visit: BEAT eating disorders
Call: 0808 801 0677
Web chat: Chat online one-to-one
F.E.A.S.T
F.E.A.S.T is a global support and education community for parents and carers of those with eating disorders.
Visit: F.E.A.S.T