Eating Disorder Support: You Deserve Help, and Recovery Is Possible

You may have an eating disorder if your relationship with food has become unhealthy — perhaps you're eating much more or much less than feels right, or you've become preoccupied with your body shape, size or weight. Left unsupported, an eating disorder can take over your life and make you seriously ill.



Here's what matters most: eating disorders are serious mental illnesses, they are treatable, and people make full recoveries — especially when they reach out early.

Who can be affected by an eating disorder?

Anyone. Eating disorders affect people of every gender, age and background, though young women aged 13–17 are most commonly affected. The most common forms are anorexia nervosa, bulimia, binge eating disorder (BED) and other specified feeding or eating disorder (OSFED).



Because eating disorders can seriously harm physical health — and too often take lives — reaching out is genuinely urgent, and genuinely worth it.

What should I do if I think I have an eating disorder?

Speak to your GP as a first step, and don't wait for things to feel "bad enough" — you deserve support now, however your difficulties look. The NHS eating disorders webpage is a helpful guide to what action to take, whether you're concerned about yourself or someone else.



If you're also experiencing thoughts of suicide, please visit our I Need Help Now page or call the numbers at the bottom of this page.

UK eating disorder support organisations

• Beat — the UK's eating disorder charity. Founded in 1989 as the Eating Disorders Association, Beat's mission is to end the pain and suffering caused by eating disorders, with information and support services for anyone affected.
• SEED – Eating Disorder Support Services — overseen by Emmerdale and Holby City actress Gemma Oaten, and set up 20 years ago by her mum Marg Oaten MBE and dad Dennis. Gemma herself nearly lost her life to an eating disorder. SEED is a voluntary service with first-hand experience, making a real difference to people whose lives are affected by this devastating illness.
• First Steps ED — an eating disorder support and recovery charity offering early help, therapy and lived-experience support for children, young people and adults across the UK.
• Anorexia & Bulimia Care — a national UK eating disorders organisation with over 30 years of experience, providing ongoing care, emotional support and practical guidance for anyone affected by eating disorders and eating distress.
• Charlie Waller — guidance for parents and carers supporting a child with an eating problem.
  

How can I support someone with an eating disorder?

Be patient, avoid commenting on food, weight or appearance, and gently encourage them towards professional help. Charlie Waller's parent and carer resources are an excellent starting point, and our Worried About My Child page lists wider support for young people's mental health.

If body image is the heart of the struggle, our Body Dysmorphic Disorder help page may also be relevant — the two can overlap.

Recovery is real

However long you've been struggling, and however hopeless it may feel, people do recover from eating disorders. The first conversation is the hardest step — and you don't have to have it alone.