Eating disorders can happen to anyone, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity or background. Eating disorders are not just about food, they are complex mental illnesses. Eating disorders are a way of coping with difficult situations or feelings.

Changing your eating habits from time to time is normal. If you feel like food and eating is a focus and taking over your life, it may be a sign of an eating disorder. Eating disorders cause serious physical and mental health illnesses, but they can be treated.

• Beat has information and resources about eating disorders 
  • Helpline 0808 801 0677
  • Studentline 0808 0801 0811
• Mind UK for help with eating disorders and eating problems
• Anorexia and bulimia care supporting anyone affected by an eating disorder
• Somerset and Wessex eating disorders association (SWEDA) supproting those affected by eating disorders or call 01749 343344
• Mindline Somerset are available 24/7 on 01823 276892

Resources for partners, parents or carers:

• How to support someone with an eating disorder

Resources for young people:

• Beat has information and resources about eating disorders
  • Youthline 0808 801 0711
• Anorexia and bulimia care supporting anyone affected by an eating disorder
• CAMHS eating disorders enhanced outreach team include community eating disorders service
• Young Somerset supporting wellbeing for young people

Types of eating disorders include:

• Anorexia Nervosa
• Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID)
• Binge eating disorder
• Bulimia Nervosa
• Orthorexia
• Other specified feeding or eating disorder (OSFED)
• Pica
• Rumination disorder

It is very possible to make a full recovery from an eating disorder. The sooner someone is diagnosed and treated, the more likely recovery is. The first step for getting help with an eating disorder is to contact your GP. Your GP will refer you to an eating disorder specialist for further assessment or treatment.

Diagnosis is essential to access treatment and may involve describing your thoughts and feelings, having your height and weight measured and having a blood test. Each type of eating disorder has a list of criteria that doctors and health professional use to diagnose an eating disorder.