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An eating disorder is a serious mental health condition where someone develops unhealthy thoughts, feelings and behaviours around food, eating, and their body. It can affect anyone, regardless of their age, gender or background. Eating disorders are not just about food – they are often connected to difficult emotions, low self-esteem, and a need for control.
There are many different types of eating disorder, these are the most common types.
In this chapter, we will explore some of the things that can influence eating disorders.
Eating disorders are serious conditions that affect a person’s relationship with food, body image, and emotions. They can happen to anyone, no matter their age, gender, or background. Recognising the early signs – in yourself or someone else – can make a huge difference. The sooner someone gets help, the easier recovery can be.
Disordered eating can take many different forms
What is it?
It’s an eating disorder where a person keeps their body weight as low as possible. People with anorexia usually do this by restricting the amount of food they eat. They may also make themselves vomit and/or exercise excessively.
Telling someone your concerns about the eating disorder and about recovery can be daunting. This page aims to help you have conversations that will give you the encouragement and support you deserve on the path to recovery.
Eating disorders are serious illnesses, but with the right support, recovery is absolutely possible. Starting the journey towards recovery can feel scary or overwhelming, but every step you take brings you closer to freedom and self-confidence.
Recovery is always a word that I did not think was possible, as my eating disorder had been part of me for a long time, and I felt it was my whole life and identity.
I am a bloke with anorexia and I am not alone. It’s estimated that in the UK 725,000 people suffer from an eating disorder. Males account for up to a quarter of all cases, and there has been a 66% increase in hospital admissions in the past decade for men with eating disorders. The first ever recorded case of anorexia was a man, I’m not the only one, so, why is nobody talking about this?
Personal Perspective: I know from experience how eating disorders hijack the brain.
By Andrea Rosenhaft LCSW-R
To mark Eating Disorders Awareness Week, Lisa Salmon finds out why breaking the stigma around the illness in males is so important.
By Lisa Salmon
Did you know that about 1.25 million people in the UK live with an eating disorder? Despite the conditions being common, there are many myths about what eating disorders are, who they affect and how you can recover from them.
When it comes to eating disorders, trying to find one explanation for why they occur is somewhat impossible. The fact is there are countless variables as to why a person could be diagnosed with one.
In today’s world, where the influence of social media and ever-changing dietary trends can be all-consuming, developing and maintaining a healthy relationship with food can be incredibly difficult. For those who are in eating disorder recovery, these challenges can be even more acute, with conditions like anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder deeply impacting emotional wellbeing and self-perception. However, it is not only those with diagnosed eating disorders who can be affected by negative societal pressures; many people struggle with body image, self-esteem and confidence and have never sought help.
Researchers found exposure to certain videos on the platform also impacted body image satisfaction.
By Storm Newton
Orthorexia nervosa is an eating disorder based on an unhealthy obsession with nutrition – so what are the signs and how can it be treated?
By Chelsie Henshaw
Research led by Dr Hester Hockin-Boyers (Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences), suggests that combining seemingly opposing approaches to health management could support eating disorder recovery.
The rise in popularity of social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok has undoubtedly increased awareness of eating disorders. Many people have built entire online communities to share support and advice for those going through difficult mental health conditions, like disordered eating.
By Lauren Aron
By Tia Tokatly
