Eating Disorders
Whilst each person's experience of an eating disorder will be unique to them, common behavioural patterns include:
- Extreme restriction or excessive consumption of food/calories.
- Frequent cycles of bingeing and/or purging.
- Excessive or compulsive exercise to burn off any calorie intake.
- Misuse of laxatives to eliminate foods eaten.
- Obsessive rituals surrounding food or unhealthy eating habits and beliefs.
Types of eating disorder
People with anorexia are often underweight but see themselves as overweight.
They may engage in behaviours to control or eliminate calories; become obsessive about the foods they eat and give themselves very rigid rules regarding foods, calories and mealtimes.
Characterised by avoiding or restricting foods or food groups for specific reasons which may include an overall lack of interest in eating, a dislike for the sensory affect of the food or because of a previous negative experience.
Although behaviours associated to ARFID are similar to anorexia, it is not characterised by concerns about body weight or image.
People with binge eating disorder often engage in episodes of eating large quantities of food at one time.
This includes eating rapidly, going to extreme lengths to find and store food and experiencing feelings of embarrassment, guilt and shame.
Unlike bulimia, the person affected will not use compensatory measures such as purging after a binging episode.
Characterised by cycles of eating large amounts of food and then purging that food through vomiting, abuse of laxatives and/or excessive exercising.
Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorders (OSFED)
The most prevalent eating disorder in the UK, including a wide-ranging group of different eating disorders that do not fall into the specific and rigid criteria for diagnosis of anorexia, bulimia or binge eating disorder.
Talking to a GP
It can feel quite nerve-wracking to talk to a GP for the first time about what you are feeling or experiencing. You might feel ashamed or worried that you are not 'ill enough' to deserve help, or not feel ready to change your disordered eating behaviours. But you do deserve and need help as soon as possible.
Next steps
If your GP thinks you may have an eating disorder, they will arrange a referral for you to see a professional specialised in eating disorders.
If an eating disorder is confirmed there are different types of treatment which you might be recommended for, including psychological/talking therapy and regular physical health checks.
Offers information and support for anyone affected by eating disorders, including a one-to-one web chat, helpline (0808 801 0677 / 0808 801 0711) and a range of online support groups, which are all fully moderated and anonymous, including a chat group for under 25s.
Opening times:
Weekdays between 9am-8pm
and weekends between 4pm-8pm.
Offers information, advice and support for anyone affected by eating disorders. You can book a one-to-one support call (via phone, video call or online chat) if you are struggling with an eating disorder or worried about someone else.
Opening times:
Monday-Friday, 10am-5pm.
