What Is An Eating Disorder?

An eating disorder is a serious mental health condition that also has significant physical health consequences. It affects over 1.25 million people in the UK and is characterised by disordered eating behaviours that impact emotional and physical well-being.

A person showing signs of an eating disorder may display behaviours such as:

  • Restricting their food intake
  • Eating large quantities of food in a short period
  • Using unhealthy methods to control weight, such as self-induced vomiting, laxative misuse, excessive fasting, or compulsive exercise
  • A combination of these behaviours

It’s important to recognise that eating disorders are not just about food but often about feelings. For some, controlling their eating habits provides a temporary sense of relief or control over their emotions, even if they don’t fully understand why.

Children And Adolescents

Eating disorders can develop at any age, but young people are particularly at risk, with many cases emerging during adolescence. In some instances, eating disorders have been identified in children as young as six years old (Priory Group – UK eating disorder statistics).

Early intervention is crucial, as receiving the right help as soon as possible increases the chances of recovery.

If you’re a parent, teacher, or someone who interacts with children regularly, here are some warning signs to look out for:

  • Eating in secret or hiding food
  • Fixation on food, calories, or body weight
  • Avoiding meals or social events where food is involved
  • Unusual food rituals or strict eating routines
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Increased tiredness
  • Mood swings, anxiety, or irritability
  • Low self-esteem or confidence
  • Perfectionism and obsessive behaviour
  • Self-harm
  • Unexplained weight changes (either loss, gain, or fluctuation)

If you notice these signs, speaking to a GP as soon as possible is vital to getting the right support.

Understanding the Different Types of Eating Disorders

There are several recognised types of eating disorders, each with its own characteristics and challenges. These include:

  • Anorexia Nervosa – A condition where individuals feel compelled to keep their weight as low as possible, often through extreme food restriction, excessive exercise, or both.
  • Bulimia Nervosa – A cycle of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviours such as vomiting, fasting, or excessive exercise, often triggered by stress, low mood, or feelings of loss of control.
  • Binge Eating Disorder (BED) – Characterised by regularly consuming large amounts of food in a short time, often eating past the point of comfort and struggling to stop.
  • Otherwise Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED) – An umbrella diagnosis for individuals whose symptoms don’t fit neatly into other categories but who still experience serious eating difficulties. OSFED is actually the most commonly diagnosed eating disorder in the UK.
  • Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) – A condition involving extreme avoidance of certain foods or food groups, or an overall restriction of food intake, often due to sensory sensitivities or fear of choking or vomiting.
  • Orthorexia Nervosa – An obsession with eating only ‘healthy’ or ‘clean’ foods, leading to rigid dietary rules that can negatively impact overall health.
  • Compulsive Exercise Disorder – A behaviour that often occurs alongside eating disorders, particularly anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, rather than being classified as a distinct eating disorder itself.
  • Feeding and Eating Disorders Not Elsewhere Categorised (FEDNEC) – For individuals who don’t fit into one of the more specific categories but still struggle with significant disordered eating patterns.

What Can You Do?

If you suspect your child or teen has an eating disorder, becoming their advocate is crucial in getting the support and treatment they need.

  • Contact your GP – They can assess the situation and refer your child to a specialist service.
  • Consider self-referral – In some areas, parents can self-refer their child to eating disorder services without needing a GP referral.

With the right treatment and support, recovery is possible. Beat Eating Disorders ambassador, Dave, shared his experience:

“I developed anorexia when I was 17, but I was lucky enough to have great GPs who gave me the time and space to speak about my mental health. They’d say, ‘you wouldn’t expect your laptop to work if you didn’t charge it; how can you expect your brain to work if you don’t feed it?’ And it stuck with me. My GPs helped me reframe my recovery and see it as something empowering.” (Dave, Beat Ambassador)

As a parent, your support is invaluable. Here are some ways to help:

  • Talk regularly with your child about how they’re feeling – Keep communication open, even if your child appears withdrawn or resistant. They may struggle to express their emotions, so reassure them that you’re there to listen without judgment.
  • Be patient and prepared for difficult conversations – Your child might react with anger, frustration, or denial when the topic is raised. Try to remain calm, avoid placing blame, and focus on their emotions rather than their behaviour.
  • Avoid commenting on their appearance – Even well-intentioned compliments can reinforce negative thought patterns. Instead, focus on their feelings, achievements, or strengths in non-physical areas.
  • Use “I” statements – For example, say, “I’ve been feeling worried because you don’t seem happy” rather than making accusatory “You” statements.
  • Refrain from discussing diets, weight, or body image issues – Be mindful of the language used around food and bodies, both in general conversation and in their presence.
  • Encourage structure around meals – Without being forceful, try to create a supportive mealtime environment with regular family meals, without distractions like screens.
  • Recognise that secrecy may be part of the illness – It’s okay to ask questions, but avoid being overly intrusive. Offer your support consistently rather than pushing for immediate openness.
  • Be mindful of perfectionism and control issues – Many young people with eating disorders struggle with perfectionist tendencies. Encourage flexibility and self-compassion.
  • Don’t worry if they don’t open up straight away – Keep checking in, showing them that you’re available when they feel ready to talk.

The Brain and Control

While eating disorders can sometimes be linked to a need for control, they are complex conditions influenced by genetic, psychological, and social factors. Restrictive eating, bingeing, and purging behaviours may temporarily affect neurotransmitter activity, reinforcing disordered eating patterns.

  • Food Restriction – The physical sensation of hunger may briefly trigger the release of pain-relieving neurotransmitters in the brain, reinforcing the behaviour.
  • Binge Eating – The brain releases dopamine, one of our ‘feel-good’ chemicals, creating a temporary sense of relief from stress or anxiety.
  • Malnutrition and Mental Health – A lack of proper nutrition keeps the brain in a heightened state of anxiety, making emotional regulation even more difficult. This can result in increased stress, low mood, and compulsive habits.

The primitive brain, responsible for learned behaviours and survival instincts, often drives these patterns, making it challenging for children to break free from disordered eating habits without intervention.

Looking After Yourself

Supporting a child with an eating disorder can be emotionally exhausting. It’s important to prioritise your own wellbeing too. We offer Solution Focused Hypnotherapy and Psychotherapy to parents, helping them manage stress, build resilience, and navigate the challenges they may be facing.

For additional resources and support, these organisations offer guidance:

Remember, recovery is possible, and with the right support, your child can regain a healthy relationship with food and themselves.