Eating disorders

Steps to change

The dangers associated with an eating disorder cannot be stressed enough, so take early steps to make successful change.

Four danger areas

PHYSICAL

  • Some starvation effects include excessive hair growth, poor skin, fainting, poor circulation, stomach problems and fertility
  • Vomiting and laxatives: affect the water and salt balance in the body which can have many negative effects such as damage to the workings of the heart, kidneys, stomach and brain

  • Over-exercise destroys muscles, this includes heart muscle

  • In addition to physical problems an eating disorder impacts on your psychological well-being. It can affect your concentration and memory. It can often also lead to anxious, worried and sad feelings

  • Eating Disorders also have a huge effect on friendships and social life. They can lead people to isolate themselves and feel lonely, which bit by bit can lead to the sufferer distancing themselves from friends, partners and family

Four steps to change

ACCEPT IT

  • Accept you might have an eating disorder
  • Well done, you have achieved the first and for some people the hardest step

Ways to help support yourself

  • Stop trying to diet – eat a healthy meal without feeling the need to calorie count
  • Eat regularly – aim to have 3 meals a day
  • Exercise in moderation – exercise a few times a week to help calm you down, but don’t overdo it
  • Get help in stopping the different ways you might try to get rid of what you eat – they are more likely to make you binge and can be very damaging to your health
  • Improve your self-esteem – every day set yourself a target of thinking about one aspect of yourself you are happy with. Or do one thing a day that makes you happy

Seeking support from someone else

  • Tell someone you trust – tell them your concerns and ask them to work with you to get help
  • See your GP – try to be honest about your concerns. They will check your general health including blood pressure, maybe take some blood tests and measure your Body Mass Index (BMI). If they are concerned they may also refer you on to more specialist professionals such as psychiatrists, psychologists, counsellors etc.
  • Contact Beat – the UK’s Eating Disorder Charity. They have a useful website with HelpFinder, an online directory of eating disorder services, allowing you to search for specialist care in your area, and Youthline 0808 801 0711
  • Ask your school – they may be able to help

  • Challenge your weight management behaviours – learn the benefits of a regular healthy food routine
  • Get to the core of what causes you to over-focus on your weight and shape – everyone has problems but sometimes these may help maintain our bad eating habits, so identifying them may prove useful
  • Try to start understanding yourself – knowing what causes you to feel bad about yourself may enable you to prevent things in the future
  • Work on building your self-esteem
  • Practice maintaining good health
  • Remind yourself you’re not alone there are people who want to help you

Some people may relapse. This is when you stop your eating problems for a period of time and then for whatever reasons go back to them. Try and stay strong and avoid this, but if it happens:

  • Don’t give up – changing behaviour isn’t easy, and it may help you to learn from your mistakes
  • Get back on track – you will gradually feel stronger
  • Seek help – not everyone can fight eating problems on their own, and that is nothing to be ashamed of

PLEASE NOTE: THESE ARE ONLY TIPS AND DO NOT REPLACE SEEKING THE ASSESSMENT AND SUPPORT OF A QUALIFIED MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDER.

Visit our Further Advice page for details of other organisations that can help.

How to help

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