Breaking the Silence and Supporting Recovery
This year, National Eating Disorders Awareness Week falls between the 24th February and 2nd March 2025. It’s a great time to raise awareness, break stigma, and remind people impacted by eating disorders that recovery is possible. If you or someone you know is struggling, you’re not alone and help is out there.
This year’s theme focuses on a simple truth: eating disorders can affect anyone. In the UK, over 1.25 million people are reported to be living with an eating disorder. That’s more than 1 in 50 people, although with many cases going unreported the figure could be much higher. Despite the prevalence, many people don’t know how to spot the signs or start the conversation about getting help.
What Are Eating Disorders?
Eating disorders aren’t a lifestyle choice or a phase—they’re serious mental health conditions, that often go unnoticed or unmentioned. People of any age, gender, and background can have an eating disorder. There are many types of eating disorder (you can learn about them here) which stem from a mix of social, genetic, and psychological factors. Often, eating disorders begin as a coping strategy to deal with stress, anxiety, or trauma. But the reality is, eating disorders are serious mental illnesses that take a huge toll on both body and mind.
While every person’s experience is different, the following may be signs that someone is struggling with an eating disorder:
- Isolating themselves, especially whilst eating or around mealtimes
- Obsessive thoughts or behaviours, particularly to do with food, weight, or body image
- Low self-esteem and anxiety, including when eating in public
- A distorted view of their body which doesn’t seem to match with reality
- Difficulty eating intuitively or ignoring hunger cues
It’s also important to note the common misconception that people with eating disorders are always underweight. In fact, only about 6% of people with eating disorders are underweight. So it’s important to recognise the signs that lie beyond the surface.
Supporting Someone You Care About
If you’re worried that someone you care about might have an eating disorder, it can be hard to know how to broach the subject. It’s natural to worry about saying the wrong thing or making matters worse, but eating disorders are serious illnesses, and they thrive on secrecy. The sooner you can help someone get the support they need, the better their chances of recovery.
Here are 5 things to remember when speaking with someone you think may have an eating disorder:
#1 – Find a comfortable place where you can speak in privacy, and choose a time when you’re both in a good headspace to talk.
#2 – Have helpful info ready to share. As friends and family, we don’t need to know it all – and definitely shouldn’t pretend to! You can gently signpost towards helpful resources, such as those from Beat, but you shouldn’t do so with force or aggression. Giving someone a leaflet or link for them to look at when they feel ready may be the right approach.
#3 – Be sensitive when talking about food or weight to avoid triggering the person or causing feelings of shame. Be gently curious about how they feel, and let them know you care without probing.
#4 – Listen. You may find that the person you’re worried about is reluctant to open up. Bombarding them with your thoughts and opinions is unlikely to change this. Don’t feel the need to fill every silence, and prioritise listening rather than getting through your checklist of concerns.
#5 – If they’re defensive or deny the problem, stay patient, check in every now and then, and remind them you’re there when they’re ready for help. Don’t lose hope. Recovery takes time, and it can take a while for someone to feel ready to talk.
What does the future hold?
Full recovery from an eating disorder is absolutely possible. The sooner a person receives help, the better. If you or someone you know is struggling, don’t hesitate to seek help.
Beat Eating Disorders is the UK’s eating disorder charity, with tons of helpful advice, resources and services. More information about their phone and web-chat helplines can be found here.
As a Supported Living Provider, Abacus is equipped to support adults with complex health needs and mental illnesses, including eating disorders. We are delighted to get behind National Eating Disorders Week, and celebrate the work being done by Beat. This week, let’s break the silence, raise awareness, and support those on their recovery journey.
–
Sources which informed this post:
https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/