Eating Disorders

Our health writer, Jackie Mitchell, talks to expert Martha Williams.

EATING Disorders Awareness Week takes place this year from February 28 to March 6. These conditions can affect people of any age. It’s estimated that 1.25 million people in the UK have an eating disorder.

Martha Williams, Clinical Advice Co-ordinator at Beat, the eating disorders charity, says, “There is a misconception that eating disorders only develop during somebody’s teenage years or early twenties.

“The latest research shows that eating disorders are just as likely to start in adulthood as childhood.”

People can experience a variety of eating disorders, but the most common are bulimia, binge-eating disorder and anorexia.

Martha points out eating disorders are complex and each person experiences the condition differently. Eating disorders are treatable and full recovery is possible.

“The earlier somebody accesses treatment, the better the chance of recovery,” Martha adds.

People with bulimia are caught in a cycle of eating large quantities of food (called bingeing), and then trying to compensate for overeating by making themselves sick, taking laxatives or diuretics, fasting, or exercising excessively (called purging).

People with binge-eating disorder eat large quantities of food over a short period of time. Unlike people with bulimia, they don’t usually follow this by getting rid of the food, though sometimes they fast between binges.

People with anorexia limit how much they eat. They may do lots of exercise, make themselves sick or misuse laxatives to get rid of food.

“People with eating disorders may also experience symptoms such as increased fatigue, aches and pains, poor circulation and digestion,” Martha says.

If you think you, or someone close to you, might have one of these conditions, some warning signs to watch for are if they appear anxious about eating in front of others, they disappear to the bathroom after eating or they become very rigid in their food or exercise routine.

Martha says it is difficult to pinpoint what causes an eating disorder.

“Eating disorders are serious mental health issues and often a sign of emotional distress,” she says.

If you’re worried about yourself or someone else, consult your GP as soon as possible. A leaflet on the Beat website gives guidance on how to talk to your GP about an eating disorder.

Recovery is a slow process which generally requires an MDT (Multidisciplinary Team) approach, but this does differ according to the individual.

“Managing an eating disorder can be a long-term challenge and it is likely that an individual would need to see their treatment team on a regular basis,” Martha says.

For more information visit www. beateatingdisorders.org.uk or call Beat’s helplines: Scotland 0808 801 0432; England 0808 801 0677; Wales 0808 801 0433; Northern Ireland 0808 801 0434. ■