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Eating Disorders

What is an eating disorder?
Eating disorders aren’t just about food, they can be a way of feeling in control and trying to cope with difficult situations or feelings. Lots of people worry about the way they look and have tried going on a diet at some point. This does not mean they have an eating disorder.
But if you notice someone you care about is thinking a lot about food and how their body looks, is feeling guilty about their eating or weight, trying to control what they eat, or being secretive about food, then keep reading.
Eating disorders are serious and everyone who has one deserves care and support. They can take over a sufferers’ life and the lives of their family and the people close to them.
There are different types of eating disorder:
- Anorexia – being underweight and trying to control their weight by not eating enough, exercising too much or both. If someone has anorexia they might be underweight, but still feel like their body is too big.
- Bulimia – eating large amounts of food in a short period of time (binges) and then trying to get rid of what they’ve eaten, often by making themself sick or using laxatives (purging).
- Binge Eating Disorder – eating very large amounts of food in a short period of time, until they feel uncomfortably full.
- In some eating disorders, like ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) and Pica, what someone eats can be a serious problem, but their disordered eating is not because of how they feel about their body weight or shape.
Some common signs to look out for are: someone weighing themselves very often or refusing to weigh themselves, avoiding eating with other people, having strict rules and routines around food, wearing baggy clothes to hide their body, or finding hidden food or food wrappers.
Overeating, sometimes called ‘food addiction’, is not recognised as a disorder although it is very distressing for a lot of people and it can seriously affect their health and how they feel about themselves. Overeating is different to binge eating, although someone with binge eating disorder might also overeat between binges.
Everyone is different and so eating disorders can differ from person to person, too. The good news is that recovery is possible and the sooner someone gets treatment, the more likely it is they will be able to manage their eating better.
Take a look at this segment from ITV’s Loose Women, where Freddie Flintoff and Gok Wan talk about their experiences with bulimia and anorexia: (Video – Freddie Flintoff and Gok Wan/bulimia and anorexia)
These are things that can really make a difference:
- Let them know they can talk to you and you want to listen.
- Don’t comment on how their body looks. We might say something meaning to be kind but for someone with an eating disorder a comment about their body can easily lead to difficult thoughts and feelings.
- Make meal times as relaxed as possible.
- Be aware that many people will deny they have a problem with their eating and body image. Your friend or family member may not realise they have a problem yet or find it difficult to accept that they need help.
- Support them to get professional help. Their GP will be able to refer them to a mental health professional specialising in this area.
- There are many different types of treatment, depending on the nature of the eating disorder and the symptoms. Treatment can involve dietary control as well as individual talking therapies aimed at resolving underlying emotional difficulties.
- If the person you care about is quite underweight, they might need to spend some time in hospital or in a specialised unit, where treatment can be more closely monitored. Anorexia can be dangerous.
- Make sure you have ways of looking after yourself. Supporting someone with an eating disorder can be difficult.
The services at the bottom of this page could help you support some you suspect has an eating disorder:
This BBC video explores a real story about anorexia and recovery: (Video – MIND, recovery from anorexia https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/eating-problems/for-friends-family/ )
Get Help Now!
Here are a list of services that can help. The icons below tell you the type of support available.

Freed Beeches

Talking Therapies

The Mix

Crisis Line

Nottinghamshire Eating Disorder Service

BEAT

BASE 51

Be U Notts

SHOUT
Which services can I access?
Some of the services available operate only within city or the wider county area. Pop your postcode in below to quickly check which services are available to you
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