Eating disorders

Jump to section: Symptoms | Types | Causes | Treatment | Where to get help

Symptoms of an eating disorder

People with eating disorders can experience a wide range of symptoms. Some signs could include:

• losing or gaining weight, or constant dieting
• overly worrying about body appearance or weight
• wearing baggy clothes
• moodiness
• sensitivity to cold
• withdrawing from social situations, especially to eat alone or in secret
• making excuses not to eat
• obsessive rituals around food and food preparation
• routinely going to the bathroom immediately after eating.

If you have an eating disorder you might also notice that you struggle to think rationally or concentrate. You might experience anxious or depressive symptoms.

If you notice any of these symptoms in yourself or someone you care about, speak to your GP. They’ll be able to offer you support and advise on the best next steps for your treatment. 

Types of eating disorders

There are different types of eating disorders, and each one can negatively affect your health and how you feel about your body. Here are some of the most common types.

Anorexia nervosa

People with anorexia often eat very little, lose a lot of weight and are afraid of gaining weight. It is not the same as having a small appetite or being naturally lean.

Bulimia nervosa

Bulimia is when someone eats a large amount of food in a short time (binge eating), then tries to make up for it by vomiting, over-exercising or not eating afterwards.

Binge eating disorder

This is when someone often eats a large amount of food in one sitting and feels out of control, like they can’t stop. They may eat very quickly, or when they’re not hungry, or even after they’re full. Afterwards, they may feel guilty, upset or ashamed. Binge eating disorder is not the same as occasionally eating too much, such as during the festive season, but is a serious, repetitive behaviour due to mental illness.

Other specified feeding or eating disorder

This includes other eating problems that don’t exactly fit into the types above, but still cause distress or harm.

Even if someone doesn’t fit into any of these categories it’s important to seek help if they are struggling with obsessive or negative thoughts about food or their body, or if they’re feeling anxious or overwhelmed.

What causes an eating disorder? 

Eating disorders are caused by a complex set of factors. Social, psychological and biological factors all play a part. The most important thing to remember is that your eating disorder is not your fault, it is a mental illness that can affect anybody. 

Causes might include:

• social factors, such as the media and representations of the ‘ideal body’, peer pressure to look a certain way or have a certain body type, ‘body shaming’ or shame around eating, and low self-esteem or insecurity caused by social media
• major life changes, such as relationship breakdowns, the death of a loved one, moving to a new city or becoming a parent
• life stressors, such as issues with friends or family
• biological factors, such as genetics, or physical changes (like during adolescence), psychological factors such as low self-esteem, anxiety or depression.

How are eating disorders treated?

It’s normal to feel nervous, embarrassed or even ashamed when it comes to seeking treatment for an eating disorder. Remember, getting treatment as early as possible can reduce the severity and impact of an eating disorder, so seek help as soon as you notice any symptoms.

Your GP can help you set up a personalised treatment plan. Everyone is different, and what works for one person may not work for someone else. There are several types of effective treatment, and you may need to try a combination of approaches.

It’s usually recommended to get support from a team of health professionals such as a dietitian, social worker, psychologist, psychiatrist or others, depending on your individual needs. At some points, you may need extra support or more intensive treatment, and at other times you may need less. This is a normal part of recovery.

Recovery can be slow, but with the right help and support it is possible to manage your eating disorder and even recover completely.