Eating disorders can affect both men and women (with higher incidents occurring in adolescent girls). It is estimated that around 1.25 million people in the UK have an eating disorder, which can be a life threatening condition.
What’s the difference between an eating disorder and an eating problem?
The NHS defines an eating disorder as “a mental health condition which involves using food to help cope with feelings and other situations”. The mental health charity Mind describes an eating problem as “any relationship with food that you find difficult”.
Eating problems can be just as hard to live with as eating disorders. The difference between them is that eating disorders are medically diagnosed based on your eating patterns. Diagnosing them involves tests around your weight, blood and body mass index.
Different types of eating disorders
There are different types of eating disorders that can affect someone physically, psychologically, and socially. The most common eating disorders are:
Anorexia Nervosa – When a person tries to keep their weight as low as possible.
Bulimia Nervosa – When a person has periods of binge eating and then is deliberately sick or uses laxatives.
Orthorexia Nervosa – An eating disorder that involves an obsession with healthy eating.
Binge Eating Disorder – Overeating large amounts of food in a short space of time.
Other eating disorders include Rumination Disorder, Pica and ARFID (avoidant or restrictive food intake disorder) – these tend to be less common but can be as serious as the other types of eating disorders listed above.
What can cause eating problems or disorders?
There is no single cause of eating problems or disorders. However, factors such as bullying, environmental changes, relationship issues or the media could contribute to eating problems or disorders. Some factors may be biological, while others may be from current surroundings or issues from the past.
Some indications of an eating problem or disorder may include:
- Regularly skipping meals
- Counting calories obsessively
- Avoiding events or socialising when there’s food is involved
- Eating only low-calorie food
- Drinking excessive amounts of water
- Wearing very loose clothing
- An obsession with exercise
- Excessive smoking to combat hunger
- Dramatic weight loss or gain
- Out of character risk-taking behaviours
Recovery and self-care
Recovery looks different for everyone. Below are some ideas that can be considered, we’ve also included signposting links at the bottom of this page for more information and support.
Talk to people you trust – Eating problems can feel very difficult to talk about for many reasons. People close to you may find eating problems hard to understand but will often want to help however they can.
Seek peer support – Eating problems can make you feel isolated and misunderstood. It can sometimes help to talk to people who are going through something similar. You can find peer support online through some of the signposting links at the bottom of this page. There may also be peer support groups in your local area.
Change unhealthy routines – Routines around eating and food can be hard to break. But you might find that making small changes can help. Try to think of some positive goals you can introduce that are not related to food or calories.
Be careful online and on social media – We are often surrounded by images of others, and you may find yourself spending large amounts of time comparing your body to other people’s. Try to minimise this happening by adjusting what apps/websites you use and who you follow.
Learn how to manage relapses – It’s very common to go back to old thoughts and behaviours, especially around times when you feel stressed. Try to remember that it is possible to feel better, even if it takes a long time.
Use your support network to help manage difficult times of year – Celebrations that take place around food and eating, such as birthdays, might trigger difficult thoughts and behaviours. Consider talking to someone you trust about how you feel, and see if you can identify what might make things easier.
Supporting others
If you’re worried about someone it’s important to try and encourage them to seek treatment. You can also play a vital role in their recovery by being a listening ear.
Let them know you are there – Make sure the person knows you’re available to listen and help them find support. Let them know they can talk to you when they’re ready.
Try not to get frustrated – They might already feel guilty about how their behaviour is affecting you. Try to be as understanding and patient as you can.
Don’t make assumptions – Try not to interpret what their eating problem means without listening, as this may make them feel less able to share their emotions and seek support.
Further support
If you think you might have an eating disorder, talk to your doctor who will be able to refer you to a specialist. Further information is also available through the links below:
Beat Eating Disorders – Registered charity with a helpline and webchat, including information about men and eating disorders.
Mind – Mental health charity providing further information about different eating disorders and impact on mental health.
NHS – Further information around symptoms and different types of eating disorders.
Ref: WPW0055 This information was reviewed June 2024.
