What’s your relationship with food like?
It’s estimated that around 1.25 million people have an eating disorder in the UK and yet it’s something that is poorly understood and surrounded by stigma.
Eating disorders are a collection of mental health issues where a person’s unhealthy eating behaviours have a negative impact on their quality of life.
With treatment, most people can recover from an eating disorder but because many people feel ashamed or embarrassed about it they don’t reach out for help.
Organisations like BEAT and Mind have lots of really useful information if you’re concerned.
There are lots of different potential causes to eating disorders but it’s common that other conditions like depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, or anxiety may also present and may contribute to what is going on.
What are the types?
- Anorexia – This is when a person is not eating enough food and sometimes exercising too much so they’re not getting enough energy to stay healthy. It’s much more complex than just slimming or dieting.
- Bulimia – This is when a person will eat large amounts of food in one go and then purge the food again. This might be through vomiting, laxatives, or exercise.
- Binge Eating Disorder – This is when a person can’t stop eating, even if they want to. Often, they feel very low, worthless, and anxious after eating.
- OSFED – This stands for Other Specified Feeding or eating disorder and means that a person doesn’t meet the criteria for another diagnosis but can still receive treatment. It isn’t any less serious than the others.
How can I help?
1. There is no blame
Neither the person struggling or you as someone in their life are to blame. Like with any other medical condition, there is no blame, however the best thing a person can do is to get professional support.
2. Externalise the illness
When speaking about the eating disorder view it as separate to the person rather than something that is part of them. For example, “How does the eating disorder make you feel about yourself?” can be more helpful than “Why are you doing it?”.
3. Ask what you can do
It may be that you can help them stick to a regular eating pattern, give space to talk about things or set healthy boundaries. They may say that you can’t help or they want to be left alone.
This is fine but it might be worth reminding them that you can also just sit and listen if they want to vent off in a safe space.
4. Be kind
Sometimes people with an eating disorder might get defensive if approached about it. This is because they might feel guilty, ashamed, or self-conscious. If this happens try to understand that it is really hard for them, be kind and give them space if they want it.
5. Don’t assume
It can be easy to assume things like ‘It’s about body image’ or what particular eating disorder someone has but this isn’t helpful. Put those assumptions to one side and focus on listening to the person and understand what they’re feeling, thinking, and saying.
Did you know?
Anyone, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity or background, can develop an eating disorder
Weekly Wellbeing Tip
After finishing work each day have a ritual to help you detach from work. It could be a bath, a walk, meditation, yoga or simply sitting in silence in your car.
