An eating disorder is a mental health condition in which eating, or thoughts about food and body shape, cause serious harm. Eating disorders occur across every body size, age, gender, ethnicity and background. A person does not need to look unwell to be seriously unwell.
Key points
- An eating disorder is a mental health condition in which eating, or thoughts about food and body shape, cause serious harm.
- Eating disorders occur across every body size, age, gender, ethnicity and background. A person does not need to look unwell to be seriously unwell.
- The diagnoses are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, ARFID and OSFED. OSFED is the most common in practice.
- NICE states that single measures such as body mass index (BMI) or length of illness must not decide whether treatment is offered.
- Talking therapies come first, and medication should not be the only treatment.
Symptoms
- Thinking about food, weight or body shape for much of the day; fear or dread linked to eating or gaining weight.
- Rigid rules about what, when or how much may be eaten; secrecy about what is eaten; episodes of eating a large amount with lost control.
- Tiredness, dizziness, digestive problems, dental problems, loss of periods.
Causes and risk factors
- No single cause. A mix of biological, psychological and social factors: family history, perfectionism, low self-esteem.
- Bullying or comments about eating or appearance, bereavement, abuse, settings where weight is closely watched.
- Not caused by the media alone, attention-seeking, or a failed diet.
Treatment
- A talking therapy first for every diagnosis: eating-disorder-focused CBT (CBT-ED), MANTRA or specialist supportive clinical management for adults; family therapy for children and young people.
- NICE says single measures such as BMI or duration of illness must not decide whether treatment is offered.
- Physical health monitoring runs alongside therapy.
When to speak to a professional
- Food, eating, weight or body shape takes up much of your thinking, or it is affecting your health, work or relationships.
- Contact your GP or NHS 111 the same day if you feel faint or dizzy, have chest pain, or cannot keep fluids down.
If you need help now: Samaritans, call 116 123, free, 24/7. Shout, text SHOUT to 85258. NHS 111, then choose the mental health option. Call 999 if anyone is in immediate danger.