Eating disorders

Destroy the thoughts, not your body.

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Trigger Warning - some of the content below may trigger some unpleasant emotions.

What is an eating disorder?

An eating disorder is about having a relationship with food that feels out of control.

This page highlights some of the most common eating disorders. These are:

Anorexia Nervosa - A person who has anorexia nervosa restricts the amount they eat and drink, deliberately starving themselves of food.
It is a rare mental health illness.
People can die from the effects of anorexia as they are simply not eating enough to survive.
Bulimia Nervosa - A person who has bulimia nervosa often 'binge' eats. After binge-eating a large quantity of food they will immediately get rid of the food they have eaten by making themselves sick or taking laxatives to cause diarrhoea.

Binge Eating Disorder (BED) - is where people experience a loss of control and regularly overeat, consuming large amounts of food over a short period of time (binging).
They eat even when they are not hungry.

The difference between bulimia and binge eating disorder is people with BED do not make themselves sick, take laxatives or exercise in attempt to control their weight. After binge eating they will often feel very upset. Find out more about BED.

The facts:

Anyone can develop an eating disorder regardless of age, race, gender or background.

Eating disorders are a way of coping with feelings and emotions, and life demands.

Feelings like anger, stress, anxiety, sadness, guilt, loss or fear can lead to someone developing an eating disorder.

Eating disorders are serious, they claim more lives than any other mental illness.

If you feel your eating habits have changed dramatically and you don't feel in control any more, this could indicate a problem.

What are the warning signs of an eating disorder?

Cutting out and avoiding meals
Excessive exercising
Purging
Becoming withdrawn
Obsession with body weight
Fear of gaining weight
Feeling depressed, anxious, or having self-harm thoughts
Excessively analysing food labels or counting calories.

Boys can have eating disorders too

Around 1 in 4 people with eating disorders are men research suggests.

Boys can develop an eating disorder because they want to achieve what they perceive to be the “ideal” physique.
They may work out excessively, or use steroids or supplements to minimise body fat and increase muscle mass and definition.
Boys can also have an obsession with “clean eating” — cutting out carbs, increasing protein, or adhering to restrictive fad diet.

Watch the video above on this page about Charles, a 17 year old boy who has been battling anorexia for two years.

Also take a look at BEAT Eating Disorders Charity new 'Men Get Eating Disorders Too' Campaign.

Getting support - the road to getting better starts with a conversation

An eating problem isn't so much about food but feelings! Find someone you can talk to about how you're feeling and help you seek support.

It's really important that you seek help as soon as possible as the physical effects of an eating disorder on your body can be dangerous.

The below services can help you find support:

Visit your GP - Anything you talk about is confidential and will be kept between you and your doctor.
Emotional Wellbeing Hub (young people in East and West Suffolk) Or Just One Service (For young people in Lowesoft or Waveney) if you're worried about you or a friend's emotional wellbeing.
ChatHealth Service - Lets you speak to a school nurse for support and advice on any health concern.
Kooth - Is a free, safe and confidential online service where you can find someone to talk to when you need it.
Wednesdays Child - They provide various workshops, support and resources from people experiencing an eating disorder around: Understanding an unhealthy relationship with food, shopping, cooking and eating, helping my friends and family to help me, and Self-care and stress relief advice.
4YP in Ipswich - Offer a drop-in service for young people to come and chat to a youth worker about any social, emotional, physical health and wellbeing issues.
Disordered Eating Support Group, Ipswich, for under 25s - The group is run weekly on Wednesday's, from 7pm until 8.30pm, at: Teenage Mental Health based at 31 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AQ. It's a free support group to allow young people to talk to like minded people, and receive support from therapists employed by Teenage Mental Health. For more details call: 01473 411324 Email: reception@teenagementalhealth.co.uk Visit their website TeenageMentalHealth.co.uk
Get support from Beat - Beat Eating Disorders charity website provides support services.
You can call their Youthline on 0808 801 0711 (their Helplines are open 365 days a year, from 3pm to 10pm).

Parents, teachers or any concerned adults should call the Beat helpline on local rate number 0808 801 0677.
Both helplines are open from 3pm - 10pm 365 days per year. Or you can use the Beat message boards to get support from other people who may be experiencing eating disorders - go to the Beat message boards.

Other useful websites and resources:

myths about eating disorders.

My journey to recovery with anorexia - YoungMinds

Eat Well, Feel Well Campaign - advice and tips for eating healthy for you physical and mental health.

Things NOT to say to a friend struggling with an eating disorder

Don't comment on their body size.
Don't praise them for being skinny - You're basically telling them that their efforts are working, and only increase their belief that having a smaller body will make them be more worthy.
Don't tell them to just eat something - An eating disorder is more complex than this because it's a mental health illness.
Don't comment on their food choices - It will only make them feel uneasy that their eating is being observed.

What to say instead:

Are you okay? I can tell things are tough for you right now, is there anything I can do to help?
No one is perfect, go easy on yourself.
I like you no matter what.
I’m here for you, I can go with you to talk to someone to seek support.