Eating Disorders and Disordered Eating: Recognizing and Getting Help

If you need help now

• In the US: if you or someone you know is struggling or having thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, free, 24/7) or chat at 988lifeline.org. In a life-threatening emergency, call 911. [1]
• In the UK: the eating disorder charity Beat runs helplines. Its page lists England 0808 801 0677, Scotland 0808 801 0432, Wales 0808 801 0433 and Northern Ireland 0808 801 0434, open 3pm to 8pm Monday to Friday at the time of reading; check Beat's page for current hours. Beat says it does not run a crisis service and that, if you or someone else is in immediate danger, you should contact 999 or the Samaritans on 116 123. [2]
• Elsewhere: use your local emergency number and ask a doctor or a local eating disorder service. This site does not list other helplines because it could not verify them.

Overview

An eating disorder is a mental health condition. NHS describes it as using the control of food to cope with feelings and other situations; unhealthy eating behaviors can include eating too much or too little or worrying about weight or body shape. [3] NIMH calls eating disorders serious illnesses marked by severe disturbances in eating behaviors and notes that they can be life-threatening. [1] This page is educational and cannot diagnose anyone.

Anyone can get an eating disorder, although NHS says teenagers and young adults are mostly affected. [3] On this site, "disordered eating" means troubled eating habits or attitudes to food, like the "unhealthy eating behaviours" NHS describes, even when no formal diagnosis has been made. [3] A professional can help sort out what is going on. Many of these concerns overlap with weight, so this page is part of the Healthy Weight and Metabolism goal.

Main types

Signs worth talking about

This is not a checklist for diagnosis. NHS suggests that if you or people around you are worried you have an unhealthy relationship with food, it could be an eating disorder, and it lists worrying about weight and body shape, avoiding social situations involving food, very strict food routines, and making yourself sick or taking laxatives after eating among possible symptoms. [3] Physical effects can be serious. For example, a review of bulimia nervosa says purging behaviors (self-induced vomiting, diuretic or laxative abuse, insulin misuse) can cause medical complications affecting all body systems, especially the kidneys and electrolytes. [5]

Professional care is the foundation

• Start with a doctor. NHS advises seeing a GP as soon as you can if you think you may have an eating disorder; a GP may refer you to a specialist or team. [3]
• Treatment usually includes talking therapy, and may include regular physical health checks. [3] For binge eating disorder, NHS lists guided self-help programs and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). [6] NIDDK says treatment for binge eating disorder includes talk therapy, behavioral weight-loss treatment and medicine, and a nutrition counselor trained in disordered eating can help. [4]
• Recovery is possible. NHS says most people can recover with treatment, though it may take time and will be different for everyone. [3]
• Supporting someone else: NHS suggests telling them you are worried and encouraging them to see a GP, and offers to go along. [3]

Eating disorders and weight-loss efforts

Weight-loss attempts and eating disorders can be linked. An American Academy of Pediatrics report says most adolescents who develop an eating disorder did not previously have obesity, but some teenagers trying to lose weight may develop one; it recommends focusing on a healthy lifestyle rather than on weight, and says obesity prevention and treatment conducted correctly do not predispose to eating disorders. [7] The FDA-approved weight-loss medicine naltrexone-bupropion should not be taken by people with anorexia or bulimia nervosa, according to NIDDK. [8] If weight-loss efforts have started to feel compulsive, see Weight and metabolism safety and talk to a professional before continuing.

Not enough evidence for self-treatment

Proper evidence not found for supplements, teas or detox products as treatment for eating disorders in the sources reviewed. Natural remedies are not a substitute for care. See Talking with a health professional and Appetite, hunger and cravings.