Eating Disorders

There are different types of Eating Disorders- each with different symptoms.

Essentially an Eating Disorder is when a person uses unhealthy behavious to control their food health. This is usually in order to cope with their feelings, difficult situations and issues around them.

A person may excessively restrict their food consumption, or strictly control their food, or eat more than they need or is healthy.

An Eating Disorder is a mental health condition. It is most common amongst teenagers.
Unfortunately, it is a condition which can be easy to hide which makes it dangerous over time.

With support and treatment, it is possible for most people to recover from an Eating Disorder.

Binge Eating Disorder (BED)

At present, there is minimal NHS funding to help patients with Binge Eating Disorder (BED) in Bristol. 
Here are some websites, resources, support groups and self-help guides that you may find useful.

 

SWEDA
SWEDA may be able to provide telephone support calls, guidance, and therapeutic counselling:

Information on Binge Eating Disorder

Support Groups

Self-help Materials

Self-help Apps

Local groups and therapists

BEAT Helpline

  • Helpline: 0808 801 0677
  • Email: help@beateatingdisorders.org.uk

Further Reading:

  • Christopher Fairburn: ‘Overcoming Binge Eating – The proven programme to learn why you can binge and how you can stop’

NHS funded counselling & therapy

Self-funding counselling & therapy

When looking for a privately funded therapist, registration with the BABCP, BACP or UKCP indicates the therapist has achieved a recognised level of training and supervision:

Bulimia

Bulimia is where someone is binge eating, then making themselves vomit or using laxatives to purge the food from their body.

What is Bulimia?

Emotional and behavioural signs

Mind UK: mental health information

Anorexia

Anorexia is an eating disorder where you feel a need to keep your weight as low as possible.

What is Anorexia?

Types of eating disorders and support

Behaviours and symptoms

Avoidant / Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)

Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder, more commonly known as ARFID, is a condition characterised by the person avoiding certain foods or types of food, having restricted intake in terms of overall amount eaten, or both. Unfortunately, there is limited funding for treatment within the NHS.

Beating Eating Disorders - information

Peer support for ARFID

Psychological information