Eating Disorders | Psychology Today United Kingdom

<!DOCTYPE html> <html lang="en-GB" dir="ltr" prefix="og: https://ogp.me/ns#"> <head> <title>Eating Disorders | Psychology Today United Kingdom</title> <meta charset="utf-8" http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html" /> <script>window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; window.dataLayer.push({"":"Psychology Today","entityLangcode":"en","page_type":"node","drupal_node_type":"reference","drupal_node_nid":"41459","drupal_node_title":"Eating Disorders","userUid":0,"event":"drupal_node_view","ContentWeb":"Basics"});</script> <meta name="description" content="Eating disorders are psychological conditions characterized by unhealthy, obsessive, or disordered eating habits. Eating disorders come with both emotional and physical symptoms and include anorexia nervosa (voluntary starvation), bulimia nervosa (binge-eating followed by purging), binge-eating disorder (binge-eating without purging), and other or unspecified eating disorders (disordered eating patterns that do not fit into another category)." /> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/eating-disorders" /> <meta property="og:site_name" content="Psychology Today" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/eating-disorders" /> <meta property="og:title" content="Eating Disorders" /> <meta property="og:description" content="Eating disorders are psychological conditions characterized by unhealthy, obsessive, or disordered eating habits. Eating disorders come with both emotional and physical symptoms and include anorexia nervosa (voluntary starvation), bulimia nervosa (binge-eating followed by purging), binge-eating disorder (binge-eating without purging), and other or unspecified eating disorders (disordered eating patterns that do not fit into another category)." /> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/magazine_384x504/public/magazine/2024-10/2024-11.png.jpg?itok=MK2t-Nce" /> <meta property="fb:app_id" content="220580041311284" /> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0, maximum-scale=1.0, user-scalable=0" /> <meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=edge,chrome=1" /> <meta http-equiv="x-dns-prefetch-control" content="on" /> <meta name="theme-color" content="#191C1F" media="(prefers-color-scheme: dark)" /> <meta name="theme-color" content="#F2F2F2" media="(prefers-color-scheme: light)" /> <meta name="alexaVerifyID" content="ruuD3Gzrr-EaY185APFbxF69Va4" /> <meta name="google-site-verification" content="G-wasBQCXXJoehIaVW5BsO9VYKt4oqmWGo155wSSakQ" /> <meta name="y_key" content="0f29d521db0a2863" /> <meta name="msvalidate.01" content="9AD6650A37790044983CFB6B27D77607" /> <meta name="apple-mobile-web-app-capable" content="yes" /> <meta name="apple-mobile-web-app-title" content="Psych Today" /> <meta name="robots" content="index,follow" /> <script type="application/ld+json">{ "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "dateCreated": "2010-04-21T16:14:21-0400", "dateModified": "2024-07-16T17:43:32-0400", "mainEntityOfPage": "https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/eating-disorders", "url": "https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/eating-disorders", "name": "Eating Disorders", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Eating Disorders" }, "mainEntity": { "@type": "DefinedTerm", "inDefinedTermSet": "https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics", "name": "Eating Disorders", "url": "https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/eating-disorders" }, "mainContentOfPage": { "@type": "WebPageElement", "name": "What Are Eating Disorders?", "text": "Eating disorders are psychological conditions characterized by unhealthy, obsessive, or disordered eating habits. Eating disorders come with both emotional and physical symptoms and include anorexia nervosa (voluntary starvation), bulimia nervosa (binge-eating followed by purging), binge-eating disorder (binge-eating without purging), and other or unspecified eating disorders (disordered eating patterns that do not fit into another category). \r\n\r\nEating disorders occur more frequently in affluent cultures than in non-affluent ones, but they are not exclusive to the well-off. A disproportionate number of those diagnosed are young women in their teens and 20s, but anyone鈥攊ncluding young men and older adults of any gender鈥攃an develop an eating disorder. Eating disorders often become all-consuming, forcing the afflicted to focus on eating (or not eating) to the exclusion of much else in their life.\r\n\r\nBiological factors, social and interpersonal pressures, and family history are some of the factors associated with eating disorders. Culturally mediated body-image concerns and personality traits like perfectionism and obsessiveness also play a large role in the disorders, which are often accompanied by depression or anxiety.\r\n\r\nTreatment is rarely simple. Eating disorders may create additional medical problems and can even be acutely life-threatening, requiring hospitalization and forced nourishment. It often takes multidisciplinary teams of health professionals鈥攊ncluding psychotherapists, medical doctors, and specialized dietitians or nutritionists鈥攖o bring about full recovery.\r\n\r\nFor more on eating disorders, see the Diagnosis Dictionary or find a treatment center near you.\r\n" }, "relatedLink": [ "https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/anorexia-nervosa", "https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/bulimia-nervosa", "https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/perfectionism", "https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/diet", "https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/suicide", "https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/depression", "https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/compulsive-behaviors", "https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/anxiety", "https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/body-image", "https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/conditions/anorexia-nervosa", "https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/conditions/binge-eating-disorder-compulsive-overeating", "https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/conditions/bulimia-nervosa" ], "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Psychology Today", "url": "https://www.psychologytoday.com", "logo": "https://cdn.psychologytoday.com/sites/default/files/psychology-today-logo-blue-AMP-left-cropped_0.png", "publishingPrinciples": "https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/docs/editorial-process" } } ] }</script><link rel="preload" as="image" href="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/max_800/public/center/2020-09/shutterstock_1079756687.jpg?itok=PXpb6v7-" /> <link rel="preconnect" href="//cdn.psychologytoday.com" crossorigin /> <link rel="dns-prefetch" href="//cdn.psychologytoday.com" /> <link rel="preconnect" href="//cdn2.psychologytoday.com" crossorigin /> <link rel="dns-prefetch" href="//cdn2.psychologytoday.com" /> <link rel="alternate" href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/ar/fundamentos/trastornos-alimenticios" hreflang="es-AR" /> <link rel="alternate" href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/cl/fundamentos/trastornos-alimenticios" hreflang="es-CL" /> <link rel="alternate" href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/es/fundamentos/trastornos-alimenticios" hreflang="es-ES" /> <link rel="alternate" href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/mx/fundamentos/trastornos-alimenticios" hreflang="es-MX" /> <link rel="alternate" href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/co/fundamentos/trastornos-alimenticios" hreflang="es-CO" /> <link rel="alternate" href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gt/fundamentos/trastornos-alimenticios" hreflang="es-GT" /> <link rel="alternate" href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/cr/fundamentos/trastornos-alimenticios" hreflang="es-CR" /> <link rel="alternate" href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/pa/fundamentos/trastornos-alimenticios" hreflang="es-PA" /> <link rel="alternate" href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/pr/fundamentos/trastornos-alimenticios" hreflang="es-PR" /> <link rel="alternate" href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/pe/fundamentos/trastornos-alimenticios" hreflang="es-PE" /> <link rel="alternate" href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/uy/fundamentos/trastornos-alimenticios" hreflang="es-UY" /> <link rel="alternate" href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/basics/eating-disorders" hreflang="en-AU" /> <link rel="alternate" href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/basics/eating-disorders" hreflang="en-CA" /> <link rel="alternate" href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/eating-disorders" hreflang="en-GB" /> <link rel="alternate" href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/ie/basics/eating-disorders" hreflang="en-IE" /> <link rel="alternate" href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/basics/eating-disorders" hreflang="x-default" /> <link rel="alternate" href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/nz/basics/eating-disorders" hreflang="en-NZ" /> <link rel="alternate" href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/sg/basics/eating-disorders" hreflang="en-SG" /> <link rel="alternate" href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/eating-disorders" hreflang="en-US" /> <link rel="alternate" href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/za/basics/eating-disorders" hreflang="en-ZA" /> <link rel="icon" href="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/favicon.ico" type="image/vnd.microsoft.icon" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="/theme-assets/touch-icons/apple-touch-icon.png" /> <link rel="amphtml" href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/eating-disorders?amp" />  <link rel="preload" href="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/themes/custom/pt/fonts/proxima-nova/proxima-nova-regular.woff2" as="font" type="font/woff2" crossorigin> <link rel="preload" href="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/themes/custom/pt/fonts/proxima-nova/proxima-nova-semibold.woff2" as="font" type="font/woff2" crossorigin> <link rel="preload" href="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/themes/custom/pt/fonts/proxima-nova/proxima-nova-bold.woff2" as="font" type="font/woff2" crossorigin> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/css/css_IHNiFVOKIP26dViTFVF3N3-JzWbT8AN07JEN_95kHSg.css" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/css/css_hqjNdn7FpKz8mKYErQ_ccOHc6DCdD5ZLcHslRj8eyn4.css" />  <link rel="preconnect" href="//securepubads.g.doubleclick.net" crossorigin /> <link rel="dns-prefetch" href="//securepubads.g.doubleclick.net" /> <link rel="preload" as="script" href="https://securepubads.g.doubleclick.net/tag/js/gpt.js" /> <link rel="preconnect" href="//www.googletagmanager.com" crossorigin /> <link rel="dns-prefetch" href="//www.googletagmanager.com" /> <link rel="preload" as="script" href="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id=GTM-NW5PKS" /> <link rel="preload" as="script" href="https://resources.psychologytoday.com/directory/search-components/v1.0.14/search-suggestions.min.js" />   <link rel="dns-prefetch" href="//www.google-analytics.com" /> <link rel="dns-prefetch" href="//www.google.com" /> <link rel="dns-prefetch" href="//fonts.googleapis.com" /> <link rel="dns-prefetch" href="//fonts.gstatic.com" /> <link rel="dns-prefetch" href="//tpc.googlesyndication.com" /> <link rel="dns-prefetch" href="//page2.googlesyndication.com" /> <link rel="dns-prefetch" href="//cdn.ampproject.org" /> <link rel="dns-prefetch" href="//consent.cookiebot.com" /> <link rel="dns-prefetch" href="//consentcdn.cookiebot.com" /> <link rel="dns-prefetch" href="//sb.scorecard.research.com" />  <script> dataLayer = dataLayer || []; </script>   <script> var _comscore = _comscore || []; _comscore.push({ c1: "2", c2: "38584006" }); (function() { var s = document.createElement("script"), el = document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0]; s.async = true; s.src = "https://sb.scorecardresearch.com/cs/38584006/beacon.js"; el.parentNode.insertBefore(s, el); })(); </script> <noscript> <img src=https://sb.scorecardresearch.com/p?c1=2&c2=38584006&cv=3.6.0&cj=1> </noscript>  </head> <body class="language-en not-logged-in not-front node--reference">  <noscript><iframe src="//www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-NW5PKS" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript> <script>(function(w,d,s,l,i){ if (typeof w[l] == 'undefined') { w[l] = [] }; w[l].push({'gtm.start': new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0], j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.defer=true;j.src= '//www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;j.addEventListener('load', function() { var _ge = new CustomEvent('gtm_loaded', { bubbles: true }); d.dispatchEvent(_ge); });f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f); })(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-NW5PKS'); </script>  <div class="backdrop-screen"></div> <a href="#block-pt-content" class="visually-hidden focusable" rel="nofollow"> Skip to main content </a> <div class="dialog-off-canvas-main-canvas" data-off-canvas-main-canvas> <header class="header"> <div> <div id="block-mainnavbarblock" class="block"> <div class="main-nav-wrapper"> <div class="container"> <button id="enabled-mobile-nav-control" class="mobile-nav-control" data-target="#navbarNavDropdown"><span class="visually-hidden">Mobile Navigation</span></button> <nav class="main-nav" role="navigation"> <div class="h1 main-nav--logo logo logo-en"><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb">Psychology Today</a></div> <ul class="main-nav--toggles list-style-none d-none d-lg-flex"> <li class="main-nav--toggle"> <a href="#" class="main-nav--toggle-link">Find Counselling</a> <div class="main-nav--panel d-none"> <div class="container"> <div class="navigation--therapist-directory"> <div class="navigation--therapist-directory__search"> <div class="h1"><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling">Find Counselling</a></div> <div class="navigation--therapist-directory__search-form"> <form action="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling" method="GET" target="_top" autocomplete="off" autocorrect="off" autocapitalize="off" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" data-event-label="TopB" id="td_search_form"> <div class="container-fat__callout_form" data-search-suggest="sussex" data-placeholder="City or Postcode" data-section-icons="false" data-mobile-fullscreen="true" data-size="large" data-menu="true" data-menu-items="[{"label":"Counsellors","suggestionsUrl":"https:\/\/www.psychologytoday.com\/intl\/search\/suggestions?query={query}&context=therapists&country-code=gb","searchUrl":"https:\/\/www.psychologytoday.com\/gb\/counselling?search={query}","title":""},{"label":"Support Groups","suggestionsUrl":"https:\/\/www.psychologytoday.com\/intl\/search\/suggestions?query={query}&context=groups&country-code=gb","searchUrl":"https:\/\/www.psychologytoday.com\/gb\/groups?search={query}","title":""}]" data-input-aria-label="Search input text" data-button-aria-label="Search button"> <button type="submit" value="Search" title="" class="search-btn default large d-none" aria-label="Search button"></button> <div class="search td-search d-flex"> <div class="menu large d-none d-sm-inline-block"> <div> <button class="td-search--menu-button large">Counsellors</button> </div> <ul class="td-search--menu list-style-none"> <li class="selected"> <a href="#" data-selector-option-text="Counsellors" data-selector-option-value="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling" title="">Counsellors</a> </li> <li> <a href="#" data-selector-option-text="Support Groups" data-selector-option-value="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/groups" title="">Support Groups</a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="large search-suggest-modal has-menu td-search--input"> <div class="close-suggestions d-none"><button>x</button></div> <div class="search-field-container search-suggest-modal large"> <input type="text" id="searchField" class="large search-suggest-modal has-menu" name="search" placeholder="City or Postcode" size="25" aria-label="Search input text"> <button type="submit" value="Search" title="" class="search-btn default large d-none" aria-label="Search button"></button> </div> </div> </div> </div> </form> </div> <div class="navigation--therapist-directory__existing"> <div class="flag-icon"><img src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/flags/flag-lg-gb.svg" alt="United Kingdom" /><strong> Counsellors :</strong> <a href="https://member.psychologytoday.com/gb/login" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" data-event-label="PT_TopNav_TherapistLogIn">Login</a> <span class="expert-spacer d-inline-block">|</span> <a href="https://join.psychologytoday.com/gb/signup" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" data-event-label="PT_TopNav_SignupN">Sign Up</a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="navigation--therapist-directory__cities"> <div class="h3">United Kingdom</div> <ul class="list-style-none"> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling/nir/belfast" title="Find Counselling in Belfast" data-event-label="PT_TopNavF_Therapist1" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Belfast</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling/eng/birmingham" title="Find Counselling in Birmingham" data-event-label="PT_TopNavF_Therapist1" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Birmingham</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling/eng/bristol" title="Find Counselling in Bristol" data-event-label="PT_TopNavF_Therapist1" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Bristol</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling/wls/cardiff" title="Find Counselling in Cardiff" data-event-label="PT_TopNavF_Therapist1" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Cardiff</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling/eng/coventry" title="Find Counselling in Coventry" data-event-label="PT_TopNavF_Therapist1" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Coventry</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling/sct/edinburgh" title="Find Counselling in Edinburgh" data-event-label="PT_TopNavF_Therapist1" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Edinburgh</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling/eng/leeds" title="Find Counselling in Leeds" data-event-label="PT_TopNavF_Therapist1" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Leeds</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling/eng/leicester" title="Find Counselling in Leicester" data-event-label="PT_TopNavF_Therapist1" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Leicester</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling/eng/liverpool" title="Find Counselling in Liverpool" data-event-label="PT_TopNavF_Therapist1" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Liverpool</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling/eng/london" title="Find Counselling in London" data-event-label="PT_TopNavF_Therapist1" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">London</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling/eng/manchester" title="Find Counselling in Manchester" data-event-label="PT_TopNavF_Therapist1" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Manchester</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling/eng/sheffield" title="Find Counselling in Sheffield" data-event-label="PT_TopNavF_Therapist1" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Sheffield</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling/eng/exeter" title="Find Counselling in Exeter" data-event-label="PT_TopNavF_Therapist1" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Exeter</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling/eng/bournemouth" title="Find Counselling in Bournemouth" data-event-label="PT_TopNavF_Therapist1" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Bournemouth</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </li> <li class="main-nav--toggle"> <a href="#" class="main-nav--toggle-link">Get Help</a> <div class="main-nav--panel d-none"> <div class="container"> <div class="d-grid main-nav--basics"> <div class="main-nav--basics--column-1 d-grid"> <div class="main-nav--basics--column-first"> <div id="block-basicslinkmenublock-mental-health"> <div class="h3 main-nav--basics-link-title">Mental Health</div> <div> <ul class="list-style-none main-nav--basics-links"> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/gb/basics/addiction" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/50109">Addiction</a></li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/gb/basics/anxiety" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/41827">Anxiety</a></li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/gb/basics/adhd" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/41094">ADHD</a></li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/gb/basics/aspergers-syndrome" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/41798">Asperger's</a></li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/gb/basics/autism" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/40997">Autism</a></li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/gb/basics/bipolar-disorder" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/41105">Bipolar Disorder</a></li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/gb/basics/chronic-pain" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/53685">Chronic Pain</a></li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/gb/basics/depression" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/40725">Depression</a></li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/gb/basics/eating-disorders" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/41459" class="is-active">Eating Disorders</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <div class="main-nav--basics--column-second"> <div id="block-basicslinkmenublock-personality"> <div class="h3 main-nav--basics-link-title">Personality</div> <div> <ul class="list-style-none main-nav--basics-links"> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/gb/basics/passive-aggression" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/53837">Passive Aggression</a></li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/gb/basics/personality" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/53843">Personality</a></li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/gb/basics/shyness" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/53941">Shyness</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div id="block-basicslinkmenublock-personal-growth"> <div class="h3 main-nav--basics-link-title">Personal Growth</div> <div> <ul class="list-style-none main-nav--basics-links"> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/gb/basics/motivation" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/53823">Goal Setting</a></li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/gb/basics/happiness" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/53757">Happiness</a></li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/gb/basics/positive-psychology" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/53862">Positive Psychology</a></li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/gb/basics/smoking" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/53954">Stopping Smoking</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <div class="main-nav--basics--column-third"> <div id="block-basicslinkmenublock-relationships"> <div class="h3 main-nav--basics-link-title">Relationships</div> <div> <ul class="list-style-none main-nav--basics-links"> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/gb/basics/low-sexual-desire" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/69085">Low Sexual Desire</a></li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/gb/basics/relationships" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/53894">Relationships</a></li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/gb/basics/sex" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/53931">Sex</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div id="block-basicslinkmenublock-family-life"> <div class="h3 main-nav--basics-link-title">Family Life</div> <div> <ul class="list-style-none main-nav--basics-links"> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/gb/basics/child-development" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/53683">Child Development</a></li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/gb/basics/parenting" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/53833">Parenting</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="h3"><a href="/gb/basics" class="right-chevron-after">View Help Index</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="main-nav--basics main-nav--basics--column-2"> <div class="main-nav--basics--column-fourth"> <div id="block-gethelpindexlinksblock" class="block"> <div class="h3 main-nav--basics-link-title">Do I Need Help?</div> <ul class="list-style-none main-nav--basics-links"> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"> <a href="/gb/tests" title="Self Tests" hreflang="en-gb"> Self Tests <div class="result-tag">NEW</div> </a> </li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"> <a href="/gb/basics/therapy" title="Therapy Center" hreflang="en-gb">Therapy Center</a> </li> </ul> <div class="h3 main-nav--basics-link-title">Recently Diagnosed?</div> <ul class="list-style-none main-nav--basics-links"> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"> <a href="/gb/conditions" title="Diagnosis Dictionary" hreflang="en-gb"> Diagnosis Dictionary </a> </li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"> <a href="/gb/types-of-therapy" title="Types of Therapy" hreflang="en-gb"> Types of Therapy </a> </li> </ul> </div> <div id="block-countrymenufindlinksblock" class="block"> <div class="h3 main-nav--basics-link-title">Talk to Someone</div> <ul class="list-style-none main-nav--basics-links"> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"> <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling" title="Find Counselling">Find Counselling</a> </li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"> <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/groups" title="Find a Support Group">Find a Support Group</a> </li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"> <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling?category=online-counselling" title="Find Online Therapy">Find Online Therapy</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </li> <li class="main-nav--toggle"> <a href="#" class="main-nav--toggle-link">Magazine</a> <div class="main-nav--panel d-none"> <div class="container"> <div class="main-nav--magazine d-grid"> <div class="views-element-container block" id="block-views-block-magazine-block-1"> <div><div class="js-view-dom-id-f03710913e295d1f36886c156b6b76fc2fc19ea77aa279f90bd5593dbce94687"> <div class="h3 main-nav--section-title">Current</div> <div> <div class="magazine-issue magazine-cover-feature"> <div class="magazine-cover-feature__cover magazine-thumbnail"> <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/magazine/archive/2024/11" title="November 2024"> <img src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/magazine_384x504/public/magazine/2024-10/2024-11.png.jpg?itok=MK2t-Nce" width="384" height="504" alt="November 2024 magazine cover" title="Ditch Perfection & Rebalance Your Life" loading="lazy" /> </a> </div> <div class="magazine-cover-feature__text"> <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/magazine/archive/2024/11" title="November 2024"> <div class="h3 magazine-cover-feature__date"> November 2024 </div> <div class="h3 magazine-cover-feature__headline"> The Perfectionism Trap </div> </a> <div class="magazine-cover-feature__highlight"><p> When we fall prey to perfectionism, we think we鈥檙e honorably aspiring to be our very best, but often we鈥檙e really just setting ourselves up for failure, as perfection is impossible and its pursuit inevitably backfires. </p></div> </div> </div> </div> <a href="https://subscribe.psychologytoday.com" class="btn btn-info btn-md-cta" title="Subscribe to Psychology Today Magazine">Subscribe</a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="views-element-container block" id="block-views-block-magazine-block-2"> <div> <div class="js-view-dom-id-b8c41ce839740880d729000244dfddad2c8b106b4fc761a3379fee225078b783"> <div class="h3 main-nav--section-title">Recent</div> <div class="magazine-row"> <div class="views-row"><div class="magazine-issue magazine-issue--magazine-cover"> <div class="magazine-cover__cover magazine-thumbnail"> <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/magazine/archive/2024/09" title="September 2024"> <img src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/magazine_384x504/public/magazine/2024-08/2024-09.png.jpg?itok=f_Oawcrq" width="384" height="504" alt="September 2024 magazine cover" title="Diagnosed in Adulthood" loading="lazy" /> </a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="views-row"><div class="magazine-issue magazine-issue--magazine-cover"> <div class="magazine-cover__cover magazine-thumbnail"> <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/magazine/archive/2024/07" title="July 2024"> <img src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/magazine_384x504/public/magazine/2024-06/2024-07.png.jpg?itok=pCeLoQbs" width="384" height="504" alt="July 2024 magazine cover" title="Stand Up For Yourself" loading="lazy" /> </a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="views-row"><div class="magazine-issue magazine-issue--magazine-cover"> <div class="magazine-cover__cover magazine-thumbnail"> <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/magazine/archive/2024/05" title="May 2024"> <img src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/magazine_384x504/public/magazine/2024-04/2024-05.png.jpg?itok=3uPTD2oA" width="384" height="504" alt="May 2024 magazine cover" title="Everyday Triggers" loading="lazy" /> </a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="views-row"><div class="magazine-issue magazine-issue--magazine-cover"> <div class="magazine-cover__cover magazine-thumbnail"> <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/magazine/archive/2024/03" title="March 2024"> <img src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/magazine_384x504/public/magazine/2024-02/2024-03.png.jpg?itok=UyoZyp1R" width="384" height="504" alt="March 2024 magazine cover" title="Emotional Intelligence" loading="lazy" /> </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/magazine/archive" class="btn btn-secondary btn-md-cta" title="Psychology Today Issue Archive">Issue Archive</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </li> <li class="main-nav--toggle"> <a href="#" class="main-nav--toggle-link">Today</a> <div class="main-nav--panel d-none"> <div class="container"> <div class="main-nav--today d-grid"> <div class="views-element-container block" id="block-views-block-news-today-menu-block-1"> <div class="h3 main-nav--basics-link-title">News</div> <div class="news-today-menu-block-1-content"></div> </div> <div class="views-element-container block" id="block-views-block-menu-blog-entry-essentials-block-1"> <div class="h3 main-nav--basics-link-title">Essential Reads</div> <div class="menu-blog-entry-essentials-block-1-content"></div> </div> <div id="block-menutrendingtopics" class="block"> <div class="h3 main-nav--basics-link-title">Trending Topics in UK</div> <ul class="list-style-none main-nav--basics-links"> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/gb/basics/emotional-intelligence" hreflang="en-gb" title="Emotional Intelligence">Emotional Intelligence</a> </li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/gb/basics/narcissism" hreflang="en-gb" title="Narcissism">Narcissism</a> </li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/gb/basics/gaslighting" hreflang="en-gb" title="Gaslighting">Gaslighting</a> </li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/gb/basics/bias" hreflang="en-gb" title="Bias">Bias</a> </li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/gb/basics/affective-forecasting" hreflang="en-gb" title="Affective Forecasting">Affective Forecasting</a> </li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/gb/basics/neuroscience" hreflang="en-gb" title="Neuroscience">Neuroscience</a> </li> </ul> <div class="h3 main-nav--basics-link-title main-nav--basics-index-link"><a href="/gb/basics" class="right-chevron-after">See All</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </li> </ul> <div class="main-nav--location-switch location-switch"> <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/counsellors?domain=content&cc=gb&cl=en" class="location-switch--link">gb</a> </div> <div class="main-nav--toggle main-nav--toggle--search"> <a href="#" class="main-nav--toggle-link">Search</a> <div class="main-nav--panel d-none"> <div class="container"> <div class="main-nav--search"> <div id="block-navsearchblock" class="block"> <div class="h1 main-nav--search-block-form__header">Search</div> <form class="form--search-block-form" action="/gb/archive" method="get" id="search-block-form" accept-charset="UTF-8"> <div> <div class="search form-group"> <div class="form-item form-type-textfield form-item-search-block-form"> <label for="edit-search-block-form--2">Search</label> <input title="Enter the terms you wish to search for." placeholder="Search Archives" type="text" id="edit-search-block-form--2" name="search" value="" size="15" maxlength="128" class="form-text main-nav--search-block-form__input" /> </div> <div class="form-actions form-wrapper" id="edit-actions"> <div class="btn-text icon search"></div> <input class="main-nav--search-block-form__submit btn-info btn btn-default form-submit" type="submit" id="edit-submit" name="op" value="Search" /> </div> </div> </div> </form> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </nav> </div> </div> </div> <div class="find-therapist-subheader-block block" id="block-findtherapistsubheaderblock-2"> <div class="td_fat_subheader"> <div class="container"> <div class="td_fat_subheader__content"> <form name="prof_search" method="POST" action="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling" id="SubHeader_TherpistForm" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" data-event-label="PT_BalTopB_find" class="td_fat_subheader_form fat__callout_form find-therapist--form"> <div class="container-fat__callout_form" data-search-suggest="sussex" data-placeholder="Find Counselling (City or Postcode)" data-seamless="true" data-button="text" data-suggestions-url="https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/search/suggestions?query={query}&country-code=gb" data-search-url="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling?search={query}" data-input-aria-label="Search input text" data-button-aria-label="Search button"> <div class="td_fat_subheader__magnifying-glass"></div> <input class="td_fat_subheader__search" type="text" name="search" placeholder="Find Counselling (City or Postcode)" aria-label="Search input text"> <button type="submit" name="Submit" value="Search" title="" class="td_fat_subheader_submit" aria-label="Search button"></button> <div class="td_fat_subheader__underline"></div> </div> </form> <div class="td_fat_subheader__verified"> <p><img width="18" height="18" loading="lazy" alt="" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/theme-assets/icons/icon-check-circle-gray.svg"/> Verified by <span class="font-weight-semi-bold">Psychology Today</span></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </header> <div class="outer-layout-container"> <main class="layout-content layout-container" > <div class="layout-content-full"> <div> <div data-drupal-messages-fallback class="hidden"></div> </div> </div> <div class="layout-container--grid layout-container--primary-left-rail"> <div class="layout-content-main"> <div> <div id="block-pt-content" class="block">       <article data-history-node-id="41459" role="article" class="center--basic--full center-page"> <div class="content-header d-flex reference-header"> <div class="content-header--text"> <h1 class="reference__title section-title">What Are Eating Disorders?</h1> <p class="reference__review-info fine-print"> <a href="/gb/docs/editorial-process" class="reference__review-info-link"> <span class="reference__review-info-icon"></span> <span class="reference__review-info-text">Reviewed by Psychology Today Staff</span> </a> </p> </div> </div> <div> <div class="reference__body"> <div class="field-name-body"> <p>Eating disorders are psychological conditions characterized by unhealthy, obsessive, or disordered eating habits. Eating disorders come with both emotional and physical symptoms and include anorexia nervosa (voluntary starvation), bulimia nervosa (binge-eating followed by purging), binge-eating disorder (binge-eating without purging), and other or unspecified eating disorders (disordered eating patterns that do not fit into another category). </p> <p>Eating disorders occur more frequently in affluent cultures than in non-affluent ones, but they are not exclusive to the well-off. A disproportionate number of those diagnosed are young women in their teens and 20s, but anyone—including young men and older adults of any <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/gender" title="Psychology Today looks at gender" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-GB">gender</a>—can develop an eating disorder. Eating disorders often become all-consuming, forcing the afflicted to focus on eating (or not eating) to the exclusion of much else in their life.</p> <p>Biological factors, social and interpersonal pressures, and family history are some of the factors associated with eating disorders. Culturally mediated body-image concerns and <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/personality" title="Psychology Today looks at personality" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-GB">personality</a> traits like <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/perfectionism" title="Psychology Today looks at perfectionism" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-GB">perfectionism</a> and obsessiveness also play a large role in the disorders, which are often accompanied by <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/depression" title="Psychology Today looks at depression" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-GB">depression</a> or <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/anxiety" title="Psychology Today looks at anxiety" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-GB">anxiety</a>.</p> <p>Treatment is rarely simple. Eating disorders may create additional medical problems and can even be acutely life-threatening, requiring hospitalization and forced nourishment. It often takes multidisciplinary teams of health professionals—including psychotherapists, medical doctors, and specialized dietitians or nutritionists—to bring about full recovery.</p> <p><em>For more on eating disorders, see the <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/conditions/eating-disorders">Diagnosis Dictionary</a> or find a <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/treatment-rehab/eating-disorder">treatment center near you.</a></em></p> </div> </div> <div class="reference__sections"> <div> <div> <div class="section section--separator"> <div class="h2 section-title"> What Is Anorexia? </div> <div class="section__body"> <article> <img src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_180x180/public/2020-01/shutterstock_604198067.jpg?itok=5Pw1HI4q" width="180" height="180" alt="VGstockstudio/Shutterstock" title="VGstockstudio/Shutterstock" loading="lazy" /> </article> <p>Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder marked by an extreme obsession with weight loss or exercise. It is especially prevalent among young to middle-aged women, and increasingly among young men, but it can affect anyone at any age.</p> <p>Characterized by a distorted sense of <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/body-image" title="Psychology Today looks at body image" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-GB">body image</a> and extreme voluntary starvation or overexercising—and closely associated with <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/perfectionism" title="Psychology Today looks at perfectionism" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-GB">perfectionism</a> and <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/depression" title="Psychology Today looks at depression" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-GB">depression</a>—it is the most deadly <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/psychiatry" title="Psychology Today looks at psychiatric" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-GB">psychiatric</a> disorder. The most common behavioral signs of anorexia include extreme dieting, obsessive food rituals, and secretive and antisocial behavior.</p> <p>Anorexia is highly resistant to treatment and is often accompanied by <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/anxiety" title="Psychology Today looks at anxiety" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-GB">anxiety</a> and depression. Treatment may include <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/cognitive-behavioral-therapy" title="Psychology Today looks at cognitive behavioral" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-GB">cognitive behavioral</a> therapy, <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/psychopharmacology" title="Psychology Today looks at medication" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-GB">medication</a>, <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/diet" title="Psychology Today looks at nutrition" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-GB">nutrition</a> <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/education" title="Psychology Today looks at education" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-GB">education</a> and <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/leadership" title="Psychology Today looks at management" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-GB">management</a>, and family-based therapies, all of which may take place at specialized eating-disorder centers.</p> <p>If the condition becomes life-threatening, the only recourse may be hospitalization with forced feeding, which may create ethical and legal dilemmas for all caregivers involved. </p> <p><em>For more, see <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/conditions/anorexia-nervosa">Anorexia Nervosa. </a></em></p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="pt-ad pt-ad--300x250 d-block d-none d-md-block d-lg-none block" id="block-ad-subpage-300x250-programmatically-rendered"> <div class="pt-ad--container pt-ad-show-text"> <div class="pt-ad--text"> <span>article continues after advertisement</span> </div> <div id="div-gpt-ad-1404853927369-9" class="pt-ad--content"> <script type="text/javascript"> if (window.googletag && googletag.apiReady) { googletag.cmd.push(function () { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1404853927369-9'); }); } </script> </div> </div> </div> <div> <div class="section section--separator"> <div class="h2 section-title"> What Is Bulimia? </div> <div class="section__body"> <article> <img src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_180x180/public/2020-01/shutterstock_1282683373.jpg?itok=4YajgQ6P" width="180" height="180" alt="By Followtheflow/Shutterstock" title="By Followtheflow/Shutterstock" loading="lazy" /> </article> <p>Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder marked by frequent cycles of binge-eating excessive amounts of food, followed by purging. Purging is usually done by self-induced vomiting but may sometimes include the use of laxatives, diuretics, or non-purging compensatory behaviors, such as fasting or overexercising. </p> <p>The disorder typically begins during <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/adolescence" title="Psychology Today looks at adolescence" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-GB">adolescence</a>, but it can also develop earlier or later. Regardless of age, it can be difficult to identify because those with bulimia are often secretive about their eating and purging habits. Although many people with bulimia are overweight, they generally have an intense <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/fear" title="Psychology Today looks at fear" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-GB">fear</a> of weight gain and often suffer anxiety, depression, and poor <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/self-esteem" title="Psychology Today looks at self-esteem" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-GB">self-esteem</a>.</p> <p>Signs of bulimia include unusual eating behaviors, constant weight fluctuation, frequent use of the bathroom, and avoidance of social events. Treatment usually includes cognitive-behavioral or other forms of <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/therapy" title="Psychology Today looks at psychotherapy" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-GB">psychotherapy</a>, <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/ssris" title="Psychology Today looks at antidepressant" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-GB">antidepressant</a> medication, and nutrition counseling.</p> <p><em>For more, see <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/conditions/bulimia-nervosa">Bulimia Nervosa.</a></em></p> </div> </div> </div> <div> <div class="section section--separator"> <div class="h2 section-title"> What Is Binge Eating Disorder? </div> <div class="section__body"> <article> <img src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_180x180/public/2020-01/shutterstock_1160655313.jpg?itok=OKnJP-Ui" width="180" height="180" alt="Joshua Resnick/Shutterstock" title="Joshua Resnick/Shutterstock" loading="lazy" /> </article> <p>Binge-eating disorder is marked by recurrent episodes of extreme overeating not accompanied by compensatory behavior; as a result, those with the disorder are often overweight or obese.</p> <p>People with this disorder tend to eat much more rapidly than normal and don't stop until feeling uncomfortably full. They may consume large amounts of food even when they're not hungry. They often eat alone because of <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/shame" title="Psychology Today looks at shame" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-GB">shame</a> or <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/embarrassment" title="Psychology Today looks at embarrassment" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-GB">embarrassment</a> about their eating behaviors.</p> <p>Many people experience occasional instances of overeating and may even "binge" from time to time. To be considered a disorder, then, these behaviors must occur at least two days a week for six months or more.</p> <p><em>For more, see <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/conditions/binge-eating-disorder-compulsive-overeating">Binge-Eating Disorder.</a></em></p> </div> </div> </div> <div> <div class="section section--separator"> <div class="h2 section-title"> What Is ARFID (Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder)? </div> <div class="section__body"> <article> <img src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_180x180/public/2023-06/girl-gabbbb2262_1280.jpg?itok=ddafHklE" width="180" height="180" alt="sasint/Pixabay" title="sasint/Pixabay" loading="lazy" /> </article> <p>Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder is characterized by the avoidance or restriction of food. People with the condition may be uninterested in food—perhaps trying to avoid a negative experience they had in the past, or because they are unsettled by particular sensory characteristics of food, such as its smell or texture.</p> <p>As a result, people with ARFID do not consume enough food or receive adequate nutrition. In contrast to anorexia, ARFID food constraints are not due to fears related to weight or body image.</p> <p><em>For more, see <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/conditions/arfid-avoidant-restrictive-food-intake-disorder">ARFID (Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder).</a></em></p> </div> </div> </div> <div> <div class="section section--separator"> <div class="h2 section-title"> What Is Orthorexia? </div> <div class="section__body"> <article> <img src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_180x180/public/2023-06/top-view-g79fc04041_1280.jpg?itok=ClMYuea-" width="180" height="180" alt="kkolosov/Pixabay" title="kkolosov/Pixabay" loading="lazy" /> </article> <p>Orthorexia is an eating disorder characterized by an obsession with healthy eating. People with orthorexia fixate on the purity of food and the ingredients within the food they prepare and consume, perhaps <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/self-harm" title="Psychology Today looks at cutting" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-GB">cutting</a> out certain food groups or adhering to a strict diet. Orthorexia often involves rigid routines and the removal of pleasure and fulfillment from the experience of eating.</p> <p>Orthorexia is not an official psychiatric diagnosis in the <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/dsm" title="Psychology Today looks at DSM-5" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-GB">DSM-5</a>, but it is increasingly recognized and studied as a form of disordered eating.</p> <p><em>For more, see <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/eating-disorders/what-is-orthorexia">Orthorexia.</a></em></p> </div> </div> </div> <div> <div class="section section--separator"> <div class="h2 section-title"> What Are Other Eating Disorders? </div> <div class="section__body"> <article> <img src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_180x180/public/shutterstock_435837118.jpg?itok=W634V3vY" width="180" height="180" alt="Africa Studio/Shutterstock" title="Africa Studio/Shutterstock" loading="lazy" /> </article> <p>Though anorexia, bulimia, and binge-eating disorder are the most well known, eating disorders encompass a number of other conditions, too. These include rumination disorder, pica, and others. </p> <p>Rumination disorder is characterized by repeated regurgitation of food after eating, bringing previously swallowed food up into the mouth without displaying nausea, involuntary retching, or disgust. The food is typically then re-chewed and spit out or swallowed again.</p> <p>Pica is a condition characterized by the eating of one or more nonnutritive, nonfood substances on a regular basis, such as paper, soap, or hair. Those with the disorder typically do not have an aversion to food in general. </p> <p>Other eating disorders, such as night eating syndrome or atypical anorexia, may be classified under "other specified feeding and eating disorders" in the DSM-5.</p> <p><em>For more, see <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/eating-disorders/types-eating-disorders">Types of Eating Disorders.</a></em></p> </div> </div> </div> <div> <div class="section section--separator"> <div class="h2 section-title"> Signs and Symptoms of Eating Disorders </div> <div class="section__body"> <article> <img src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_180x180/public/2020-12/shutterstock_375892972%20%281%29.jpg?itok=SogqA4c8" width="180" height="180" alt="" title="Natalie Board/Shutterstock" loading="lazy" /> </article> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Eating disorders involve disturbances in how individuals eat and perceive their body and weight. But those disturbances can manifest in very different ways. In some cases they can be obvious, such as dramatic weight loss or refusing to eat. In other cases they can be subtle, such as developing rigid routines around meals—only eating specific foods or at specific times—or beginning to exercise obsessively. Still in others, signs of the disorder can be hidden, such as going to the restroom after meals in the case of bulimia or eating in private in the case of binge-eating disorder.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Mental health symptoms can also emerge from or be exacerbated by the condition. People with eating disorders may become more withdrawn, avoiding people or activities they previously enjoyed, or they may struggle with mood swings and anxiety. Although it can be difficult to discuss, recognizing an eating disorder early on can help the person seek the help they need to recover.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><em><span>For more, see </span></em></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><em><span><span><span><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/eating-disorders/signs-and-symptoms-eating-disorders">Signs and Symptoms of Eating Disorders</a>.</span></span></span></em></span></span></span></span></p> </div> </div> </div> <div> <div class="section section--separator"> <div class="h2 section-title"> What Causes Eating Disorders? </div> <div class="section__body"> <article> <img src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_180x180/public/2020-01/shutterstock_668247181.jpg?itok=q9o9g4FZ" width="180" height="180" alt="Tero Vesalainen/Shutterstock" title="Tero Vesalainen/Shutterstock" loading="lazy" /> </article> <p>There is no single cause of any eating disorder. It's not yet understood why ostensibly voluntary behaviors associated with eating turn into disorders for some people but not for others. </p> <p>A disturbed relationship with food and a sense of emotional fragility are hallmarks of all eating disorders. Eating disorders typically start out unnoticed––a person eats a little more or a little less food than usual. The urge to eat more or to eat less becomes increasingly compelling until it can become the focus of a person's existence.</p> <p>Biology also plays a role. <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/appetite" title="Psychology Today looks at Appetite" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-GB">Appetite</a> control and the regulation of food intake is highly complex, with many <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/hormones" title="Psychology Today looks at hormones" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-GB">hormones</a> in the brain and the body signaling hunger and satiety. Evidence also suggests that eating disorders have genetic roots.</p> <p>Culture is thought to also play a significant role, as people—women especially—are pressured to fit an ideal of beauty that is largely defined by weight.</p> <p>Other circumstances factor in, too; the conditions can be triggered by <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/stress" title="Psychology Today looks at stress" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-GB">stress</a>, social difficulty, <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/loneliness" title="Psychology Today looks at loneliness" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-GB">loneliness</a>, depression, <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/trauma" title="Psychology Today looks at trauma" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-GB">trauma</a>, or by dieting itself.</p> <p><em>For more, see <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/eating-disorders/what-causes-eating-disorders">What Causes Eating Disorders?</a></em></p> </div> </div> </div> <div> <div class="section section--separator"> <div class="h2 section-title"> How Are Eating Disorders Treated? </div> <div class="section__body"> <article> <img src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_180x180/public/2020-12/shutterstock_328569497%20%281%29.jpg?itok=xHc2GdDz" width="180" height="180" alt="" title="Friends Stock/Shutterstock" loading="lazy" /> </article> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span>It can take a long time—sometimes years or decades—for people with an eating disorder to decide to seek help. When they do, there are numerous treatment options that can help them recover.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span>People with eating disorders often receive outpatient treatment, but severe cases may require hospitalization or treatment at an inpatient facility. Treatment involves a physician, a psychologist, and a nutritionist to address the different elements of the illness. Therapies for eating disorders of any type include cognitive behavioral therapy, and a version tailored to eating disorders called enhanced cognitive behavioral therapy, as well as family-based treatment. </span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><em><span>For more, see </span></em></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/eating-disorders/how-are-eating-disorders-treated"><span><span><span><span><em><span><span><span>How Are Eating Disorders Treated?</span></span></span></em></span></span></span></span></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div> <div class="section section--separator"> <div class="h2 section-title"> The Recovery Process </div> <div class="section__body"> <article> <img src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_180x180/public/2020-12/shutterstock_1329029687%20%285%29.jpg?itok=gG-tuTi1" width="180" height="180" alt="" title="fizkes/Shutterstock" loading="lazy" /> </article> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Recovering from an eating disorder can be a long and winding road. And once in recovery, people must continue to observe and adapt to prevent setbacks and <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/relapse" title="Psychology Today looks at relapses" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-GB">relapses</a>. Treatment can provide the necessary skills to do that.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span>In concrete terms, recovery means that a person no longer meets the diagnostic criteria for an eating disorder, that they have healed both physically and emotionally. That experience will be different for everyone, as they develop a personalized approach to treatment, eating habits, social support, and coping skills.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><em><span>For more, see </span></em></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/eating-disorders/the-recovery-process"><span><span><span><span><em><span><span><span>The Recovery Process.</span></span></span></em></span></span></span></span></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div> <div class="section section--separator"> <div class="h2 section-title"> <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/parenting" title="Psychology Today looks at Parenting" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-GB">Parenting</a> a Child with an Eating Disorder </div> <div class="section__body"> <article> <img src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_180x180/public/2020-12/shutterstock_246467023.jpg?itok=u-icEkU-" width="180" height="180" alt="" title="Kamira/Shutterstock" loading="lazy" /> </article> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Watching a child suffer through an eating disorder can be deeply upsetting. Parents shouldn’t blame themselves for the development of the disorder, but they can take steps to provide support and help their child heal.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Different stages of the process require different actions. Those steps might include recognizing the signs of a disorder, learning about the illness, discussing it with the child, and encouraging them to seek treatment.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><em><span>For more, see </span></em></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/eating-disorders/parenting-child-eating-disorder"><span><span><span><span><em><span><span><span>Parenting a Child with an Eating Disorder.</span></span></span></em></span></span></span></span></a></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="center--next_page_link d-flex"> <a href="/gb/basics/eating-disorders/types-of-eating-disorders" title="Types of Eating Disorders">Next: Types of Eating Disorders</a> <div class="center--next_page_arrow"></div> </div> <div class="views-element-container"><div class="js-view-dom-id-5f3c7d28c2548c0ec0665d108e3c2a0050043689993f345b50e016ab861b01af"> <section class="basics--essential-reads"> <div class="h2 page-section-header">Essential Reads</div> <div class="teaser--card-inset-details--row"> <article class="teaser--card-inset-details blog_entry--teaser--card-inset-details" data-nid="5027237"> <div class="card-inset-details__image"> <a href="/gb/blog/mind-your-body/202411/can-social-media-algorithms-exacerbate-eating-disorders"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_3_2_600x400/public/teaser_image/blog_entry/2024-11/jonathan-kemper-938fuMuOijw-unsplash.jpg?itok=SmGBXiIT" width="600" height="400" alt="" title="Jonathan Kemper / Unsplash" /> </a> </div> <div class="card-inset-details__body"> <div class="card-inset-details__title"> <a href="/gb/blog/mind-your-body/202411/can-social-media-algorithms-exacerbate-eating-disorders" title="Can Social Media Algorithms Exacerbate Eating Disorders?"> Can Social Media Algorithms Exacerbate Eating Disorders? </a> </div> <div class="card-inset-details__teaser-text"> Could social media algorithms exacerbate disordered eating? A new study analyzed the TikTok algorithms of people with and without an eating disorder, with striking results. </div> </div> </article> <article class="teaser--card-inset-details blog_entry--teaser--card-inset-details" data-nid="5026834"> <div class="card-inset-details__image"> <a href="/gb/blog/the-road-to-recovery/202411/when-the-shoe-fits-wear-it-understanding-body-weight-set-point"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_3_2_600x400/public/teaser_image/blog_entry/2024-11/jaclyn-moy-ugZxwLQuZec-unsplash.jpg?h=9e95423f&itok=YbQ7HMYr" width="600" height="400" alt="" title="Jacklyn Moy/Unsplash" /> </a> </div> <div class="card-inset-details__body"> <div class="card-inset-details__title"> <a href="/gb/blog/the-road-to-recovery/202411/when-the-shoe-fits-wear-it-understanding-body-weight-set-point" title="When the Shoe Fits, Wear It: Understanding Body Weight Set Point"> When the Shoe Fits, Wear It: Understanding Body Weight Set Point </a> </div> <div class="card-inset-details__teaser-text"> Your body has a natural weight range, just like its shoe size. Embracing that is a key to health and self-acceptance, especially in eating disorder recovery. </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="teaser--card-inset-details--row"> <article class="teaser--card-inset-details blog_entry--teaser--card-inset-details" data-nid="5023146"> <div class="card-inset-details__image"> <a href="/gb/blog/eating-disorders-the-facts/202408/psychological-maintenance-processes-of-binge-eating-disorder"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_3_2_600x400/public/teaser_image/blog_entry/2024-09/pexels-polina-tankilevitch-4109234.jpg?itok=xNuMzLyC" width="600" height="400" alt="" title="Polina Tankilevitch / Pexels" /> </a> </div> <div class="card-inset-details__body"> <div class="card-inset-details__title"> <a href="/gb/blog/eating-disorders-the-facts/202408/psychological-maintenance-processes-of-binge-eating-disorder" title="Psychological Maintenance Processes of Binge-Eating Disorder"> Psychological Maintenance Processes of Binge-Eating Disorder </a> </div> <div class="card-inset-details__teaser-text"> A new theory of binge-eating disorder integrates well-established mechanisms that sustain binge-eating episodes with some that contribute to the maintenance of higher weight. </div> </div> </article> <article class="teaser--card-inset-details blog_entry--teaser--card-inset-details" data-nid="5023981"> <div class="card-inset-details__image"> <a href="/gb/blog/the-road-to-recovery/202408/options-for-severe-chronic-resistant-eating-disorders"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_3_2_600x400/public/teaser_image/blog_entry/2024-08/AnthonyTran_Shutterstock.png.jpg?itok=BtHoboNT" width="600" height="400" alt="" title="Anthony Tran/Shutterstock" /> </a> </div> <div class="card-inset-details__body"> <div class="card-inset-details__title"> <a href="/gb/blog/the-road-to-recovery/202408/options-for-severe-chronic-resistant-eating-disorders" title="Options for Severe, Chronic, Resistant Eating Disorders"> Options for Severe, Chronic, Resistant Eating Disorders </a> </div> <div class="card-inset-details__teaser-text"> Combining advanced treatments offers hope for complex eating disorders. </div> </div> </article> </div> </section> </div> </div> </div> <div class="h2 page-section-header page-section-header--with-divider">Recent Posts</div> <div class="views-element-container"><div class="js-view-dom-id-7d4a1e652c1257f6fc68651f3c47c28fc6ad0cd44eec7a7a448bea370e1b2c18 layout-container--grid--content-main-additional basics--recent-posts"> <div class="layout-content-main"> <div class="teaser-listing-item"> <article class="teaser teaser-lg blog-entry--teaser" data-nid="5027517"> <div class="teaser-lg--main"> <div class="teaser-lg__image"> <a href="/gb/blog/letters-from-your-therapist/202411/how-to-survive-diet-culture-over-the-holidays"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_288x288/public/teaser_image/blog_entry/2024-11/kelsey-chance-ZrhtQyGFG6s-unsplash.jpg?h=d1ae48ae&itok=Z6suf1lC" width="288" height="288" alt="" title="Kelsey Chance/Unsplash" /> </a> </div> <div class="teaser-lg__details"> <div class="h2 teaser-lg__title"> <a href="/gb/blog/letters-from-your-therapist/202411/how-to-survive-diet-culture-over-the-holidays" rel="bookmark">How to Survive Diet Culture Over the Holidays</a> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--desktop"> Protect yourself from unwanted diet talk this holiday season with clear communication strategies, boundaries, and emotion regulation techniques. </p> </div> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--mobile"> Protect yourself from unwanted diet talk this holiday season with clear communication strategies, boundaries, and emotion regulation techniques. </p> </article> </div> <div class="teaser-listing-item"> <article class="teaser teaser-lg blog-entry--teaser" data-nid="5027419"> <div class="teaser-lg--main"> <div class="teaser-lg__image"> <a href="/gb/blog/the-leading-edge/202411/why-is-losing-weight-so-difficult"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_288x288/public/field_blog_entry_images/2024-11/Obesity.jpg?itok=dmnARSj2" width="288" height="288" alt="" title="Towfiqu barbhuiya/Pexels" /> </a> </div> <div class="teaser-lg__details"> <div class="h2 teaser-lg__title"> <a href="/gb/blog/the-leading-edge/202411/why-is-losing-weight-so-difficult" rel="bookmark">Why Is Losing Weight So Difficult? </a> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--desktop"> Losing weight is difficult, but keeping it off can be harder. Have you ever wondered why? Memory in fat cells may contribute to this yo-yo effect. </p> </div> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--mobile"> Losing weight is difficult, but keeping it off can be harder. Have you ever wondered why? Memory in fat cells may contribute to this yo-yo effect. </p> </article> </div> <div class="teaser-listing-item"> <article class="teaser teaser-lg blog-entry--teaser" data-nid="5027471"> <div class="teaser-lg--main"> <div class="teaser-lg__image"> <a href="/gb/blog/navigating-the-maze/202411/overcoming-delays-in-seeking-eating-disorder-help"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_288x288/public/teaser_image/blog_entry/2024-11/pexels-cedric-fauntleroy-4269202.jpg?itok=44J6yC1Y" width="288" height="288" alt="" title="Cedric Fauntleroy / Pexels" /> </a> </div> <div class="teaser-lg__details"> <div class="h2 teaser-lg__title"> <a href="/gb/blog/navigating-the-maze/202411/overcoming-delays-in-seeking-eating-disorder-help" rel="bookmark">Overcoming Delays in Seeking Eating Disorder Help</a> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--desktop"> Research suggests parents may have difficulty finding specialized care for eating disorders, causing delays in treatment. </p> </div> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--mobile"> Research suggests parents may have difficulty finding specialized care for eating disorders, causing delays in treatment. </p> </article> </div> <div class="teaser-listing-item"> <article class="teaser teaser-lg blog-entry--teaser" data-nid="5027464"> <div class="teaser-lg--main"> <div class="teaser-lg__image"> <a href="/gb/blog/be-amazing/202411/sugar-shoulds-and-should-nots"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_288x288/public/field_blog_entry_images/2024-11/pexels-igor-ovsyannykov-56123-205961_1.jpg?itok=QSYXz4Jr" width="288" height="288" alt="" title="Igor Ovsyonnykov/Pexels" /> </a> </div> <div class="teaser-lg__details"> <div class="h2 teaser-lg__title"> <a href="/gb/blog/be-amazing/202411/sugar-shoulds-and-should-nots" rel="bookmark">Sugar Shoulds and Should-Nots </a> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--desktop"> If you're worried about how much sugar your kids are eating during the winter holidays, you should know that trying to stop their intake is not the best solution. </p> </div> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--mobile"> If you're worried about how much sugar your kids are eating during the winter holidays, you should know that trying to stop their intake is not the best solution. </p> </article> </div> <div class="teaser-listing-item"> <article class="teaser teaser-lg blog-entry--teaser" data-nid="5027310"> <div class="teaser-lg--main"> <div class="teaser-lg__image"> <a href="/gb/blog/minority-report/202411/dealing-with-loss-in-addiction-recovery"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_288x288/public/field_blog_entry_images/2024-11/IMG_1422.jpeg.jpg?itok=HTuWwUk-" width="288" height="288" alt="" title="Sam Louie" /> </a> </div> <div class="teaser-lg__details"> <div class="h2 teaser-lg__title"> <a href="/gb/blog/minority-report/202411/dealing-with-loss-in-addiction-recovery" rel="bookmark">Dealing With Loss in Addiction Recovery </a> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--desktop"> What do you do in addiction recovery? True recovery will involve an internal shift in which other pursuits replace time spent on the addiction. </p> </div> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--mobile"> What do you do in addiction recovery? True recovery will involve an internal shift in which other pursuits replace time spent on the addiction. </p> </article> </div> <div class="teaser-listing-item"> <article class="teaser teaser-lg blog-entry--teaser" data-nid="5027297"> <div class="teaser-lg--main"> <div class="teaser-lg__image"> <a href="/gb/blog/minority-report/202411/the-first-step-for-addicts-in-recovery"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_288x288/public/field_blog_entry_images/2024-11/marcos-paulo-prado-yHL7WxJFvI8-unsplash.jpg?itok=6Sl6p2R3" width="288" height="288" alt="" title="Photo by Marcos Paulo Prado on Unsplash" /> </a> </div> <div class="teaser-lg__details"> <div class="h2 teaser-lg__title"> <a href="/gb/blog/minority-report/202411/the-first-step-for-addicts-in-recovery" rel="bookmark">The First Step for Addicts in Recovery</a> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--desktop"> The term "powerlessness," as it is used in addiction recovery, is often a turn-off, both to people in recovery and those in the general public, since the term is so misunderstood. </p> </div> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--mobile"> The term "powerlessness," as it is used in addiction recovery, is often a turn-off, both to people in recovery and those in the general public, since the term is so misunderstood. </p> </article> </div> <div class="teaser-listing-item"> <article class="teaser teaser-lg blog-entry--teaser" data-nid="5027280"> <div class="teaser-lg--main"> <div class="teaser-lg__image"> <a href="/gb/blog/body-acceptance/202411/understanding-emotional-eating"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_288x288/public/teaser_image/blog_entry/2024-11/iStock-1352871318.jpg?itok=hgmV0bFa" width="288" height="288" alt="" title="Prostock-studio / istock" /> </a> </div> <div class="teaser-lg__details"> <div class="h2 teaser-lg__title"> <a href="/gb/blog/body-acceptance/202411/understanding-emotional-eating" rel="bookmark">Understanding Emotional Eating </a> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--desktop"> We are told emotional eating is bad鈥攑lain and simple. Let's get curious about why we turn to food in stressful moments. </p> </div> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--mobile"> We are told emotional eating is bad鈥攑lain and simple. Let's get curious about why we turn to food in stressful moments. </p> </article> </div> <div class="teaser-listing-item"> <article class="teaser teaser-lg blog-entry--teaser" data-nid="5027064"> <div class="teaser-lg--main"> <div class="teaser-lg__image"> <a href="/gb/blog/eating-disorders-among-gender-expansive-and-neurodivergent-individuals/202411/rethinking"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_288x288/public/teaser_image/blog_entry/2024-11/tyson-GkE1i7Q4Xgc-unsplash.jpg?itok=wagJkJAw" width="288" height="288" alt="" title="Tyson / Unsplash" /> </a> </div> <div class="teaser-lg__details"> <div class="h2 teaser-lg__title"> <a href="/gb/blog/eating-disorders-among-gender-expansive-and-neurodivergent-individuals/202411/rethinking" rel="bookmark">Rethinking Family-Based Treatment for Autistic Children</a> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--desktop"> Family-based therapy can be effective for autistic children with anorexia, but let's explore what accommodations can be made for it to be more supportive. </p> </div> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--mobile"> Family-based therapy can be effective for autistic children with anorexia, but let's explore what accommodations can be made for it to be more supportive. </p> </article> </div> <div class="teaser-listing-item"> <article class="teaser teaser-lg blog-entry--teaser" data-nid="5026749"> <div class="teaser-lg--main"> <div class="teaser-lg__image"> <a href="/gb/blog/body-image-and-stigma-bias/202411/the-hidden-mental-health-costs-of-dieting"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_288x288/public/teaser_image/blog_entry/2024-11/pexels-nadin-sh-78971847-25315534.jpg?itok=kax8QXts" width="288" height="288" alt="" title="Nadin Sh / Pexels" /> </a> </div> <div class="teaser-lg__details"> <div class="h2 teaser-lg__title"> <a href="/gb/blog/body-image-and-stigma-bias/202411/the-hidden-mental-health-costs-of-dieting" rel="bookmark">The Hidden Mental Health Costs of Dieting</a> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--desktop"> Dieting can negatively impact mental health by fostering an unhealthy preoccupation with food, increasing stress, and contributing to feelings of guilt, shame, and anxiety. </p> </div> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--mobile"> Dieting can negatively impact mental health by fostering an unhealthy preoccupation with food, increasing stress, and contributing to feelings of guilt, shame, and anxiety. </p> </article> </div> <div class="teaser-listing-item"> <article class="teaser teaser-lg blog-entry--teaser" data-nid="5026485"> <div class="teaser-lg--main"> <div class="teaser-lg__image"> <a href="/gb/blog/eating-disorder-recovery/202410/debunking-wellness-culture"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_288x288/public/teaser_image/blog_entry/2024-11/dominik-martin-JYFmYif4n70-unsplash.jpg?itok=krMssX22" width="288" height="288" alt="" title="Photo by Dominik Martin on Unsplash" /> </a> </div> <div class="teaser-lg__details"> <div class="h2 teaser-lg__title"> <a href="/gb/blog/eating-disorder-recovery/202410/debunking-wellness-culture" rel="bookmark">Debunking Wellness Culture</a> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--desktop"> Are you caught in the web of wellness culture? Discover how to discern genuine wellness from diet culture's harmful influence. </p> </div> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--mobile"> Are you caught in the web of wellness culture? Discover how to discern genuine wellness from diet culture's harmful influence. </p> </article> </div> <nav role="navigation" aria-label="Pagination"> <ul class="js-pager__items pagination"> <li class="page-item active"> <span class="page-link">1</span> </li> <li class="page-item"> <a class="page-link" href="/gb/basics/eating-disorders?page=2" title="Go to next page" rel="next"> 2 </a> </li> <li class="page-item"> <a class="page-link next" href="/gb/basics/eating-disorders?page=2" title="Go to next page" rel="next"> <span>Next</span> </a> </li> </ul> </nav> </div> </div> </div> </article> </div> </div> </div> <aside class="layout-content-left-rail--first" role="complementary"> <div> <div id="block-navigationblock" class="block"> <div class="center--navigation block-border"> <div class="center--navigation--header"> <article data-history-node-id="5000239" role="article"> <div class="h3 center--navigation--title">Eating Disorders</div> <div class="center--navigation--image"> <img src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/max_800/public/center/2020-09/shutterstock_1079756687.jpg?itok=PXpb6v7-" width="800" height="534" alt="Antonio Guillem/Shutterstock" title="Antonio Guillem/Shutterstock" loading="lazy" /> </div> </article> </div> <ul class="center--navigation--links"> <li class="center--navigation--link"> <a href="/gb/basics/eating-disorders" class="active" hreflang="en">What Are Eating Disorders?</a> </li> <li class="center--navigation--link"> <a href="/gb/basics/eating-disorders/types-of-eating-disorders" hreflang="en">Types of Eating Disorders</a> </li> <li class="center--navigation--link"> <a href="/gb/basics/eating-disorders/signs-and-symptoms-of-eating-disorders" hreflang="en">Signs and Symptoms of Eating Disorders</a> </li> <li class="center--navigation--link"> <a href="/gb/basics/eating-disorders/what-causes-eating-disorders" hreflang="en">What Causes Eating Disorders?</a> </li> <li class="center--navigation--link"> <a href="/gb/basics/eating-disorders/how-are-eating-disorders-treated" hreflang="en">How Are Eating Disorders Treated?</a> </li> <li class="center--navigation--link"> <a href="/gb/basics/eating-disorders/the-recovery-process" hreflang="en">The Recovery Process</a> </li> <li class="center--navigation--link"> <a href="/gb/basics/eating-disorders/parenting-a-child-with-an-eating-disorder" hreflang="en">Parenting a Child with an Eating Disorder</a> </li> <li class="center--navigation--link"> <a href="/gb/basics/eating-disorders/what-is-orthorexia" hreflang="en">What Is Orthorexia?</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </aside> <aside class="layout-content-left-rail--second" role="complementary"> <div> <div class="pt-ad pt-ad--300x250 d-none d-lg-block d-xl-block block" id="block-adblock"> <div class="pt-ad--container pt-ad-show-text"> <div class="pt-ad--text"> <span>advertisement</span> </div> <div id="div-gpt-ad-1391201642419-0" class="pt-ad--content"> <script type="text/javascript"> if (window.googletag && googletag.apiReady) { googletag.cmd.push(function () { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1391201642419-0'); }); } </script> </div> </div> </div> <div id="block-resourcesblock-2" class="block"> <article data-history-node-id="41459" role="article" class="resources block-border"> <div class="resources--header"> <div class="h2 resources--title"> Eating Disorders Resources </div> </div> <div class="resources--section resources--section--get-help"> <div class="h3"> <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling?category=eating-disorders" title=""> Get Help </a> </div> <p class="resources--cta">Find counselling to heal from an eating disorder</p> <div class="country country--resources-search"> <form action="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling?category=eating-disorders" method="GET" class="find-therapist--resources-form" target="_top"> <div class="container-fat__callout_form" data-search-suggest="sussex" data-placeholder="City or Postcode" data-size="medium" data-section-icons="false" data-mobile-fullscreen="true" data-suggestions-url="https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/search/suggestions?query={query}&attributes[0]=9&country-code=gb" data-search-url="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling?category=eating-disorders&search={query}" data-input-aria-label="Search input text" data-button-aria-label="Search button"> <div class="search td-search d-flex"> <div class="td-search--input"> <div class="search-field-container"> <label for="find_therapist_search" class="d-none"> City or Postcode </label> <input id="find_therapist_search" type="text" name="search" placeholder="City or Postcode" aria-label="Search input text"> <button type="submit" value="Search" title="" class="search-btn default" aria-label="Search button"></button> </div> </div> </div> </div> </form> </div> </div> <div class="resources--section"> <div class="h3">Connected Topics</div> <ul class="list-style-none"> <li class="list-style-none--item"> <a href="/gb/basics/anorexia-nervosa" title="Psychology Today looks at anorexia nervosa">Anorexia Nervosa</a> </li> <li class="list-style-none--item"> <a href="/gb/basics/bulimia-nervosa" title="Psychology Today looks at bulimia nervosa">Bulimia Nervosa</a> </li> <li class="list-style-none--item"> <a href="/gb/basics/perfectionism" title="Psychology Today looks at perfectionism">Perfectionism</a> </li> <li class="list-style-none--item"> <a href="/gb/basics/diet" title="Psychology Today looks at diet">Diet</a> </li> <li class="list-style-none--item"> <a href="/gb/basics/suicide" title="Psychology Today looks at suicide">Suicide</a> </li> <li class="list-style-none--item"> <a href="/gb/basics/depression" title="Psychology Today looks at depression">Depression</a> </li> <li class="list-style-none--item"> <a href="/gb/basics/compulsive-behaviors" title="Psychology Today looks at compulsive behaviors">Compulsive Behaviors</a> </li> <li class="list-style-none--item"> <a href="/gb/basics/anxiety" title="Psychology Today looks at anxiety ">Anxiety </a> </li> <li class="list-style-none--item"> <a href="/gb/basics/body-image" title="Psychology Today looks at body image">Body Image</a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="resources--section"> <div class="h3">Diagnosis</div> <ul class="list-style-none"> <li class="list-style-none--item"> <a href="/gb/conditions/anorexia-nervosa" title="Diagnosis: Anorexia Nervosa">Anorexia Nervosa</a> </li> <li class="list-style-none--item"> <a href="/gb/conditions/binge-eating-disorder-compulsive-overeating" title="Diagnosis: Binge-Eating Disorder (Compulsive Overeating)">Binge-Eating Disorder (Compulsive Overeating)</a> </li> <li class="list-style-none--item"> <a href="/gb/conditions/bulimia-nervosa" title="Diagnosis: Bulimia Nervosa">Bulimia Nervosa</a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="resources--section"> <div class="h3">Test Yourself</div> <ul class="list-style-none"> <li class="list-style-none--item"> <a href="/gb/tests/health/eating-disorders-and-emotional-eating-test" title="Take Test: Disordered Eating Test">Disordered Eating Test</a> </li> <li class="list-style-none--item"> <a href="/gb/tests/health/emotional-eating-test" title="Take Test: Emotional Eating Test">Emotional Eating Test</a> </li> <li class="list-style-none--item"> <a href="/gb/tests/personality/perfectionism-test" title="Take Test: Perfectionism Test">Perfectionism Test</a> </li> <li class="list-style-none--item"> <a href="/gb/tests/health/nutrition-iq-test" title="Take Test: Nutrition Quotient">Nutrition Quotient</a> </li> <li class="list-style-none--item"> <a href="/gb/tests/health/what-are-your-stress-triggers" title="Take Test: How Stressed Are You?">How Stressed Are You?</a> </li> </ul> </div> </article> </div> <div class="pt-ad pt-ad--300x600 d-none d-lg-block d-xl-block block" id="block-adblock-2"> <div class="pt-ad--container pt-ad-show-text"> <div class="pt-ad--text"> <span>advertisement</span> </div> <div id="div-gpt-ad-1390414551849-0" class="pt-ad--content"> <script type="text/javascript"> if (window.googletag && googletag.apiReady) { googletag.cmd.push(function () { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1390414551849-0'); }); } </script> </div> </div> </div> <div id="block-findatherapistreferenceblock-2" class="block"> <div class="country find-therapist"> <div class="find-therapist--main"> <div class="h2 find-therapist--title"><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling?category=eating-disorders" title="Find Eating Disorders Counselling">Find Eating Disorders Counselling</a></div> <p class="find-therapist--copy"> Get the help you need from a counsellor near you鈥揳 FREE service from Psychology Today. </p> <form action="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling?category=eating-disorders" method="GET" class="find-therapist--form"> <div class="container-fat__callout_form" data-search-suggest="sussex" data-placeholder="City or Postcode" data-size="medium" data-section-icons="false" data-mobile-fullscreen="true" data-suggestions-url="https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/search/suggestions?query={query}&attributes[0]=9&country-code=gb" data-search-url="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling?category=eating-disorders&search={query}" data-input-aria-label="Search input text" data-button-aria-label="Search button"> <div class="search td-search d-flex"> <div class="td-search--input"> <div class="search-field-container"> <label for="find_therapist_search" class="d-none"> City or Postcode </label> <input id="find_therapist_search" type="text" name="search" placeholder="City or Postcode" aria-label="Search input text"> <button type="submit" value="Search" title="" class="search-btn default" aria-label="Search button"></button> </div> </div> </div> </div> </form> <div class="find-therapist--image d-flex"> <img src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/default_images/counseling.jpg" width="310" height="300" alt="Counselling" title="Counselling" loading="lazy" /> </div> <div class="h3 find-therapist--cities-title">Cities:</div> <ul class="find-therapist--cities list-style-none"> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling/nir/belfast?category=eating-disorders" title="Find Eating Disorders Counselling in Belfast" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Belfast</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling/eng/birmingham?category=eating-disorders" title="Find Eating Disorders Counselling in Birmingham" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Birmingham</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling/eng/bournemouth?category=eating-disorders" title="Find Eating Disorders Counselling in Bournemouth" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Bournemouth</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling/eng/brighton?category=eating-disorders" title="Find Eating Disorders Counselling in Brighton" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Brighton</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling/eng/bristol?category=eating-disorders" title="Find Eating Disorders Counselling in Bristol" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Bristol</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling/eng/cambridge?category=eating-disorders" title="Find Eating Disorders Counselling in Cambridge" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Cambridge</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling/wls/cardiff?category=eating-disorders" title="Find Eating Disorders Counselling in Cardiff" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Cardiff</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling/eng/london/central-london?category=eating-disorders" title="Find Eating Disorders Counselling in Central London" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Central London</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling/eng/cheltenham?category=eating-disorders" title="Find Eating Disorders Counselling in Cheltenham" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Cheltenham</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling/eng/coventry?category=eating-disorders" title="Find Eating Disorders Counselling in Coventry" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Coventry</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling/eng/london/east-london?category=eating-disorders" title="Find Eating Disorders Counselling in East London" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">East London</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling/sct/edinburgh?category=eating-disorders" title="Find Eating Disorders Counselling in Edinburgh" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Edinburgh</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling/eng/exeter?category=eating-disorders" title="Find Eating Disorders Counselling in Exeter" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Exeter</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling/sct/glasgow?category=eating-disorders" title="Find Eating Disorders Counselling in Glasgow" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Glasgow</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling/eng/leeds?category=eating-disorders" title="Find Eating Disorders Counselling in Leeds" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Leeds</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling/eng/leicester?category=eating-disorders" title="Find Eating Disorders Counselling in Leicester" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Leicester</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling/eng/liverpool?category=eating-disorders" title="Find Eating Disorders Counselling in Liverpool" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Liverpool</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling/eng/london?category=eating-disorders" title="Find Eating Disorders Counselling in London" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">London</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling/eng/manchester?category=eating-disorders" title="Find Eating Disorders Counselling in Manchester" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Manchester</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling/eng/milton-keynes?category=eating-disorders" title="Find Eating Disorders Counselling in Milton Keynes" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Milton Keynes</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling/eng/newcastle-upon-tyne?category=eating-disorders" title="Find Eating Disorders Counselling in Newcastle upon Tyne" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Newcastle upon Tyne</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling/eng/london/north-london?category=eating-disorders" title="Find Eating Disorders Counselling in North London" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">North London</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling/eng/london/north-west-london?category=eating-disorders" title="Find Eating Disorders Counselling in North West London" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">North West London</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling/eng/northampton?category=eating-disorders" title="Find Eating Disorders Counselling in Northampton" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Northampton</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling/eng/norwich?category=eating-disorders" title="Find Eating Disorders Counselling in Norwich" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Norwich</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling/eng/nottingham?category=eating-disorders" title="Find Eating Disorders Counselling in Nottingham" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Nottingham</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling/eng/oxford?category=eating-disorders" title="Find Eating Disorders Counselling in Oxford" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Oxford</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling/eng/sheffield?category=eating-disorders" title="Find Eating Disorders Counselling in Sheffield" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Sheffield</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling/eng/london/south-east-london?category=eating-disorders" title="Find Eating Disorders Counselling in South East London" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">South East London</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling/eng/london/south-london?category=eating-disorders" title="Find Eating Disorders Counselling in South London" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">South London</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling/eng/london/south-west-london?category=eating-disorders" title="Find Eating Disorders Counselling in South West London" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">South West London</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling/eng/southampton?category=eating-disorders" title="Find Eating Disorders Counselling in Southampton" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Southampton</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling/wls/swansea?category=eating-disorders" title="Find Eating Disorders Counselling in Swansea" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Swansea</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling/eng/swindon?category=eating-disorders" title="Find Eating Disorders Counselling in Swindon" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Swindon</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling/eng/london/west-london?category=eating-disorders" title="Find Eating Disorders Counselling in West London" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">West London</a></li> </ul> </div> <footer> <div class="find-therapist--footer"> <span class="find-therapist--footer-cta">Are you a Counsellor?</span> <a href="https://join.psychologytoday.com/gb/signup?src=WWWCIT" class="find-therapist--footer-link">Get Listed Today</a> </div> </footer> </div> </div> </div> </aside> </div> </main> <footer role="contentinfo" class="footer"> <div> <div id="block-footerblock" class="block"> <section class="footer--section-first footer--section"> <div class="container"> <div class="footer--social-media d-flex"> <div class="main-nav--logo logo logo-en"> <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb" title="Psychology Today">Psychology Today</a> </div> <div class="footer--social-media--links d-flex"> <div class="footer--social-media--links--icon"> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/psychologytoday" title="Psychology Today en Facebook"> <img width="30" height="29" loading="lazy" class="svg" alt="Facebook" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/theme-assets/logo/logo-facebook.svg"> </a> </div> <div class="footer--social-media--links--icon"> <a href="https://twitter.com/psychtoday" title="Psychology Today en Twitter"> <img width="30" height="29" loading="lazy" class="svg" alt="Twitter" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/theme-assets/logo/logo-twitter.svg"> </a> </div> <div class="footer--social-media--links--icon"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/psych_today/" title="Psychology Today en Instagram"> <img width="30" height="30" loading="lazy" class="svg" alt="Instagram" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/theme-assets/logo/logo-instagram.svg"> </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="footer--section-second footer--section"> <div class="container"> <div class="footer--navigation d-flex"> <div class="views-element-container"> <div class="js-view-dom-id-e7354c2548c6fcb68976ef102b2f5f7891e0d914045d81fe59d42e6e171e8a1b magazine-footer-block"> <div class="h2 magazine-footer-block__title">Recent Issues</div> <div class="magazine-footer-block__container"> <div class="magazine-row"> <div class="views-row"><div class="magazine-issue magazine-issue--magazine-cover"> <div class="magazine-cover__cover magazine-thumbnail"> <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/magazine/archive/2024/11" title="November 2024"> <img src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/magazine_384x504/public/magazine/2024-10/2024-11.png.jpg?itok=MK2t-Nce" width="384" height="504" alt="November 2024 magazine cover" title="Ditch Perfection & Rebalance Your Life" loading="lazy" /> </a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="views-row"><div class="magazine-issue magazine-issue--magazine-cover"> <div class="magazine-cover__cover magazine-thumbnail"> <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/magazine/archive/2024/09" title="September 2024"> <img src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/magazine_384x504/public/magazine/2024-08/2024-09.png.jpg?itok=f_Oawcrq" width="384" height="504" alt="September 2024 magazine cover" title="Diagnosed in Adulthood" loading="lazy" /> </a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="views-row"><div class="magazine-issue magazine-issue--magazine-cover"> <div class="magazine-cover__cover magazine-thumbnail"> <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/magazine/archive/2024/07" title="July 2024"> <img src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/magazine_384x504/public/magazine/2024-06/2024-07.png.jpg?itok=pCeLoQbs" width="384" height="504" alt="July 2024 magazine cover" title="Stand Up For Yourself" loading="lazy" /> </a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="views-row"><div class="magazine-issue magazine-issue--magazine-cover"> <div class="magazine-cover__cover magazine-thumbnail"> <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/magazine/archive/2024/05" title="May 2024"> <img src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/magazine_384x504/public/magazine/2024-04/2024-05.png.jpg?itok=3uPTD2oA" width="384" height="504" alt="May 2024 magazine cover" title="Everyday Triggers" loading="lazy" /> </a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="views-row"><div class="magazine-issue magazine-issue--magazine-cover"> <div class="magazine-cover__cover magazine-thumbnail"> <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/magazine/archive/2024/03" title="March 2024"> <img src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/magazine_384x504/public/magazine/2024-02/2024-03.png.jpg?itok=UyoZyp1R" width="384" height="504" alt="March 2024 magazine cover" title="Emotional Intelligence" loading="lazy" /> </a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="views-row"><div class="magazine-issue magazine-issue--magazine-cover"> <div class="magazine-cover__cover magazine-thumbnail"> <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/magazine/archive/2024/01" title="January 2024"> <img src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/magazine_384x504/public/magazine/2023-12/2024-01.png.jpg?itok=B11lkLSj" width="384" height="504" alt="January 2024 magazine cover" title="Burnout" loading="lazy" /> </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <a href="https://subscribe.psychologytoday.com" class="btn btn-info btn-md-cta" title="Subscribe to Psychology Today Magazine">Subscribe Today</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="footer--navigation d-flex"> <ul class="list-style-none list-inline"> <li class="copy-opacity-70 font-weight-semi-bold"> <a href="/gb/docs/about-psychology-today" hreflang="en-gb" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/5000407">About</a> </li> <li class="copy-opacity-70 font-weight-semi-bold"> <a href="/gb/docs/editorial-process" hreflang="en-gb" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/5000410">Editorial Process</a> </li> <li class="copy-opacity-70 font-weight-semi-bold"> <a href="/gb/docs/privacy-policy" hreflang="en-gb" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/5000083">Privacy</a> </li> <li class="copy-opacity-70 font-weight-semi-bold"> <a href="/gb/docs/terms-and-conditions" hreflang="en-gb" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/5000084">Terms</a> </li> <li class="copy-opacity-70 font-weight-semi-bold"> <a href="/gb/docs/accessibility" hreflang="en-gb" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/5000099">Accessibility</a> </li> <li class="copy-opacity-70 font-weight-semi-bold pt-footer-consent-link"> <a href="javascript:revisitCkyConsent();">Do Not Sell Or Share My Personal Information</a> </li> </ul> <div class="country--flag-name"> <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/counsellors?domain=content&cc=gb&cl=en"> <img loading="lazy" width="29" height="20" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/flags/flag-lg-gb.svg" alt="United Kingdom" /> <span class="copy-opacity-70">United Kingdom</span> </a> </div> </div> <div class="footer--copyright d-flex"> <p class="copy-opacity-70">Psychology Today © 2024 Sussex Publishers, LLC</p> </div> </div> </section> </div> </div> </footer> </div> <div id="mobile-menu-container"> <div id="block-mobilenavtoplevelmenu" class="block"> <div class="sidebar sidebar-main" data-sidebar-location="main"> <div class="sidebar__header"> <a class="sidebar-back-arrow" data-sidebar-parent="main">Back</a> <div class="sidebar__logo"> <div class="h1 logo logo-en"><a href="/gb">Psychology Today</a></div> </div> </div> <ul class="sidenav"> <li> <a href="/gb"> Home </a> </li> <li> <a href="#" data-sidebar-target="find-a-therapist"> Find Counselling </a> </li> <li> <a href="#" data-sidebar-target="get-help"> Get Help </a> </li> <li> <a href="#" data-sidebar-target="magazine"> Magazine </a> </li> <li> <a href="#" data-sidebar-target="today"> Today </a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="sidebar" data-sidebar-location="find-a-therapist"> <div class="sidebar__header"> <a class="sidebar-back-arrow" data-sidebar-parent="main">Back</a> <div class="sidebar-title">Find a Therapist</div> </div> <div id="block-countrymobilenavigationfindtherapistblock" class="block"> <div> <ul> <li class="menu-list-category"><span>Get Help</span></li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"> <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling" title="Find Counselling">Find Counselling</a> </li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"> <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/groups" title="Find a Support Group">Find a Support Group</a> </li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"> <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling?category=online-counselling" title="Find Online Therapy">Find Online Therapy</a> </li> </ul> <ul> <li class="menu-list-category"><span>Members</span></li> <li><a href="https://member.psychologytoday.com/gb/login" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" data-event-label="PT_TopNav_TherapistLogIn">Login</a></li> <li><a href="https://join.psychologytoday.com/gb/signup" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" data-event-label="PT_TopNav_SignupN">Sign Up</a></li> </ul> <ul> <li class="menu-list-category"><span> United Kingdom </span></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling/nir/belfast" title="Find Counselling in Belfast" data-event-label="PT_TopNavF_Therapist1" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Belfast</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling/eng/birmingham" title="Find Counselling in Birmingham" data-event-label="PT_TopNavF_Therapist1" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Birmingham</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling/eng/bristol" title="Find Counselling in Bristol" data-event-label="PT_TopNavF_Therapist1" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Bristol</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling/wls/cardiff" title="Find Counselling in Cardiff" data-event-label="PT_TopNavF_Therapist1" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Cardiff</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling/eng/coventry" title="Find Counselling in Coventry" data-event-label="PT_TopNavF_Therapist1" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Coventry</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling/sct/edinburgh" title="Find Counselling in Edinburgh" data-event-label="PT_TopNavF_Therapist1" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Edinburgh</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling/eng/leeds" title="Find Counselling in Leeds" data-event-label="PT_TopNavF_Therapist1" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Leeds</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling/eng/leicester" title="Find Counselling in Leicester" data-event-label="PT_TopNavF_Therapist1" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Leicester</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling/eng/liverpool" title="Find Counselling in Liverpool" data-event-label="PT_TopNavF_Therapist1" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Liverpool</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling/eng/london" title="Find Counselling in London" data-event-label="PT_TopNavF_Therapist1" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">London</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling/eng/manchester" title="Find Counselling in Manchester" data-event-label="PT_TopNavF_Therapist1" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Manchester</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling/eng/sheffield" title="Find Counselling in Sheffield" data-event-label="PT_TopNavF_Therapist1" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Sheffield</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <div class="sidebar" data-sidebar-location="get-help"> <div class="sidebar__header"> <a class="sidebar-back-arrow" data-sidebar-parent="main">Back</a> <div class="sidebar-title">Get Help</div> </div> <div id="block-basicslinkmenublock-mental-health-mobile"> <div class="h3 main-nav--basics-link-title">Mental Health</div> <div> <ul class="list-style-none main-nav--basics-links"> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/gb/basics/addiction" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/50109">Addiction</a></li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/gb/basics/anxiety" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/41827">Anxiety</a></li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/gb/basics/adhd" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/41094">ADHD</a></li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/gb/basics/aspergers-syndrome" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/41798">Asperger's</a></li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/gb/basics/autism" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/40997">Autism</a></li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/gb/basics/bipolar-disorder" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/41105">Bipolar Disorder</a></li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/gb/basics/chronic-pain" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/53685">Chronic Pain</a></li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/gb/basics/depression" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/40725">Depression</a></li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/gb/basics/eating-disorders" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/41459" class="is-active">Eating Disorders</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div id="block-basicslinkmenublock-personality-mobile"> <div class="h3 main-nav--basics-link-title">Personality</div> <div> <ul class="list-style-none main-nav--basics-links"> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/gb/basics/passive-aggression" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/53837">Passive Aggression</a></li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/gb/basics/personality" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/53843">Personality</a></li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/gb/basics/shyness" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/53941">Shyness</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div id="block-basicslinkmenublock-personal-growth-mobile"> <div class="h3 main-nav--basics-link-title">Personal Growth</div> <div> <ul class="list-style-none main-nav--basics-links"> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/gb/basics/motivation" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/53823">Goal Setting</a></li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/gb/basics/happiness" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/53757">Happiness</a></li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/gb/basics/positive-psychology" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/53862">Positive Psychology</a></li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/gb/basics/smoking" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/53954">Stopping Smoking</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div id="block-basicslinkmenublock-relationships-mobile"> <div class="h3 main-nav--basics-link-title">Relationships</div> <div> <ul class="list-style-none main-nav--basics-links"> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/gb/basics/low-sexual-desire" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/69085">Low Sexual Desire</a></li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/gb/basics/relationships" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/53894">Relationships</a></li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/gb/basics/sex" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/53931">Sex</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div id="block-basicslinkmenublock-family-life-mobile"> <div class="h3 main-nav--basics-link-title">Family Life</div> <div> <ul class="list-style-none main-nav--basics-links"> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/gb/basics/child-development" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/53683">Child Development</a></li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/gb/basics/parenting" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/53833">Parenting</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div id="block-gethelpbasicsindexblock" class="block"> <div class="h3 main-nav--basics-link-title basics-link-title__view-help-index"><a href="/gb/basics" class="right-chevron-after">View Help Index</a></div> </div> <div id="block-gethelpindexlinksblock-2" class="block"> <div class="h3 main-nav--basics-link-title">Do I Need Help?</div> <ul class="list-style-none main-nav--basics-links"> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"> <a href="/gb/tests" title="Self Tests" hreflang="en-gb"> Self Tests <div class="result-tag">NEW</div> </a> </li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"> <a href="/gb/basics/therapy" title="Therapy Center" hreflang="en-gb">Therapy Center</a> </li> </ul> <div class="h3 main-nav--basics-link-title">Recently Diagnosed?</div> <ul class="list-style-none main-nav--basics-links"> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"> <a href="/gb/conditions" title="Diagnosis Dictionary" hreflang="en-gb"> Diagnosis Dictionary </a> </li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"> <a href="/gb/types-of-therapy" title="Types of Therapy" hreflang="en-gb"> Types of Therapy </a> </li> </ul> </div> <div id="block-countrymenufindlinksblock-2" class="block"> <div class="h3 main-nav--basics-link-title">Talk to Someone</div> <ul class="list-style-none main-nav--basics-links"> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"> <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling" title="Find Counselling">Find Counselling</a> </li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"> <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/groups" title="Find a Support Group">Find a Support Group</a> </li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"> <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling?category=online-counselling" title="Find Online Therapy">Find Online Therapy</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="sidebar" data-sidebar-location="magazine"> <div class="sidebar__header"> <a class="sidebar-back-arrow" data-sidebar-parent="main">Back</a> <div class="sidebar-title">Magazine</div> </div> <div class="views-element-container block" id="block-views-block-magazine-block-3"> <div> <div class="js-view-dom-id-448e18470975c9a6b7d74fef500e5466037b9e75d15b35e4e87f93d0ad70c290 sidebar__content"> <div> <div class="magazine-issue magazine-cover-feature"> <div class="magazine-cover-feature__cover magazine-thumbnail"> <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/magazine/archive/2024/11" title="November 2024"> <img src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/magazine_384x504/public/magazine/2024-10/2024-11.png.jpg?itok=MK2t-Nce" width="384" height="504" alt="November 2024 magazine cover" title="Ditch Perfection & Rebalance Your Life" loading="lazy" /> </a> </div> <div class="magazine-cover-feature__text"> <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/magazine/archive/2024/11" title="November 2024"> <div class="h3 magazine-cover-feature__date"> November 2024 </div> <div class="h3 magazine-cover-feature__headline"> The Perfectionism Trap </div> </a> <div class="magazine-cover-feature__highlight"><p> When we fall prey to perfectionism, we think we鈥檙e honorably aspiring to be our very best, but often we鈥檙e really just setting ourselves up for failure, as perfection is impossible and its pursuit inevitably backfires. </p></div> </div> </div> </div> <a href="https://subscribe.psychologytoday.com" class="btn btn-info btn-md-cta" title="Subscribe to Psychology Today Magazine">Subscribe</a> <a href="/gb/magazine/archive" class="btn btn-secondary btn-md-cta" title="Psychology Today Issue Archive">Issue Archive</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="sidebar" data-sidebar-location="today"> <div class="sidebar__header"> <a class="sidebar-back-arrow" data-sidebar-parent="main">Back</a> <div class="sidebar-title">Today</div> </div> <div class="views-element-container block" id="block-views-block-news-today-menu-block-1-2"> <div class="h3 main-nav--basics-link-title">News</div> <div class="news-today-menu-block-1-content"></div> </div> <div class="views-element-container block" id="block-views-block-menu-blog-entry-essentials-block-1-2"> <div class="h3 main-nav--basics-link-title">Essential Reads</div> <div class="menu-blog-entry-essentials-block-1-content"></div> </div> <div id="block-menutrendingtopics-2" class="block"> <div class="h3 main-nav--basics-link-title">Trending Topics in UK</div> <ul class="list-style-none main-nav--basics-links"> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/gb/basics/emotional-intelligence" hreflang="en-gb" title="Emotional Intelligence">Emotional Intelligence</a> </li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/gb/basics/narcissism" hreflang="en-gb" title="Narcissism">Narcissism</a> </li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/gb/basics/gaslighting" hreflang="en-gb" title="Gaslighting">Gaslighting</a> </li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/gb/basics/bias" hreflang="en-gb" title="Bias">Bias</a> </li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/gb/basics/affective-forecasting" hreflang="en-gb" title="Affective Forecasting">Affective Forecasting</a> </li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/gb/basics/neuroscience" hreflang="en-gb" title="Neuroscience">Neuroscience</a> </li> </ul> <div class="h3 main-nav--basics-link-title main-nav--basics-index-link"><a href="/gb/basics" class="right-chevron-after">See All</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <script type="application/json" data-drupal-selector="drupal-settings-json">{"path":{"baseUrl":"\/","scriptPath":null,"pathPrefix":"gb\/","currentPath":"node\/41459","currentPathIsAdmin":false,"isFront":false,"currentLanguage":"en"},"pluralDelimiter":"\u0003","suppressDeprecationErrors":true,"ckeditorheight":{"offset":1,"line_height":1.6,"unit":"em","disable_autogrow":false},"dataLayer":{"defaultLang":"en","languages":{"en":{"id":"en","name":"English","direction":"ltr","weight":0},"es":{"id":"es","name":"espa\u00f1ol","direction":"ltr","weight":1},"fr":{"id":"fr","name":"French","direction":"ltr","weight":2}}},"ptAd":{"slotPlacement":{"slots":{"300x600_Right2_www_site":{"name":"300x600_Right2_www_site","path":"\/1032688\/300x600_Right2_www_site_Ad_Slot","opt_div":"div-gpt-ad-1390414551849-0","show_ad_text":true,"ad_text":"advertisement","size":[[300,600]],"device_sizes":["large","extra_large"],"ad_theme_type":"pt_ad","display_small":"","display_medium":"","display_large":"1","display_extra_large":"1"},"300x_Right_www":{"name":"300x_Right_www","path":"\/1032688\/300x*_Right_www","opt_div":"div-gpt-ad-1391201642419-0","show_ad_text":true,"ad_text":"advertisement","size":[[300,250]],"device_sizes":["large","extra_large"],"ad_theme_type":"pt_ad","display_small":"","display_medium":"","display_large":"1","display_extra_large":"1"},"300x250_Mobile_Content1":{"name":"300x250_Mobile_Content1","path":"\/1032688\/300x250_Mobile_Content1","opt_div":"div-gpt-ad-1404853927369-9","show_ad_text":true,"ad_text":"article continues after advertisement","size":[[300,250]],"device_sizes":["small","medium"],"ad_theme_type":"pt_ad","display_small":"1","display_medium":"1","display_large":"","display_extra_large":""}},"targets":{"targeting":{"HealthCat":["404423"],"OtherCat":[],"SpecialCat":["basics"],"PageNid":["41459"],"BlogNid":[],"NodeType":["reference"]}},"exclusions":[]}},"user":{"uid":0,"permissionsHash":"fb59c7f08668396797328e5a12c26a8ebc6135153a08bd3230a668c9a943a717"}}</script> <script src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/js/js_21hE7lAt4Sz7KJlc3V8cOBTI0lLYB5ms5WeiQ2gN59c.js"></script> <script src="https://resources.psychologytoday.com/directory/search-components/v1.0.14/search-suggestions.min.js" type="text/javascript" defer="true"></script> <script src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/js/js_moFHDfh0ca0aMUPlqZ_OFHaR19ot6W-hEyfjqJhB9bg.js"></script> <script src="https://securepubads.g.doubleclick.net/tag/js/gpt.js" defer></script> <script src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/modules/custom/pt_ad/js/gpt-process.js?v=1.x" defer></script> <script src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/js/js_kWjdfh4mG8hIloMY_vdpcjqhITFL-ZWiVvqPdmlyt8o.js"></script> </body> </html>

CINXE.COM

Eating Disorders | Psychology Today United Kingdom