Eating disorders in children and young people
Signs and symptoms of Eating Disorders:
These will vary from person to person, but common signs and symptoms include:
Thoughts and feelings can include:
They may verbally comment on feeling fat, ugly and not good enough.
They also may tell you they are constantly thinking about food.
Feelings of guilt may also be apparent, especially surrounding the guilt of eating certain foods, eating too much, breaking a diet or not being able to exercise.
Behaviours can include:
- Obsessive behaviour attached to eating such as counting calories
- Cutting food up into small pieces
- Secrecy
- Difficulty sleeping
- Wearing baggy clothes
- Vomiting
- Taking laxatives or diet pills
- Excessive exercise.
- Saying they have eaten earlier or will eat later
- Strict dieting and avoiding food they think is fattening
- Missing meals (fasting)
- Avoiding eating with other people
- Hiding food
- Eating very slowly
- Social withdrawal and isolation
- Smelly breath from vomiting
- Hoarding food
- Empty food wrappers found.
Physical symptoms can include:
- Substantial weight loss or weight gain
- Constipation
- Abdominal pains
- Dizzy spells
- Feeling faint or, in fact, fainting
- Lethargy
- Bloated stomach
- Poor blood circulation making them feel cold
- Dry skin
- Delayed puberty
You can also use the following Eating Issues Continuum document as a means of recognising thoughts, feelings and behaviours associated with Eating Disorders and Eating Issues.
How you can support your child/young person experiencing an Eating Disorder
If they are not ready to talk about their problem, reassure them that you will be there when they are ready. However, don’t leave it too long to broach the subject again. Remember, eating disorders thrive on secrecy.
If they acknowledge that they need help, encourage/help them to seek it as quickly as possible.
If they tell you there’s nothing wrong, even if they seem convincing, keep an eye on them and keep in mind that they may be ill even if they don’t realise it. Denial that there’s a problem is common – you were worried for a reason, so trust your judgment.
Prepare what you want to say and how you’re going to say it, be aware to avoid talking just before or after mealtimes, as this can be the most anxiety-provoking time.
Say, “I am worried” rather than “You need to get help”.
Don’t be disheartened if you are met with a negative response, as the illness affects how the person thinks.
Don’t label them, “I think you have an eating disorder”.
Don’t be judgemental or confrontational.
Avoid shaming them and telling them they are being “silly” or ask, “What did you do that for”.
Training
Liverpool CAMHS – Free Bitesize Training
On behalf of the Liverpool CAMHS partners, Merseyside Youth Associations RAISE Team deliver FREE, 1-hour training sessions on Eating Disorders.
These are held monthly and are available for professionals, parents and carers at no cost
To view upcoming training and book a place – visit the Liverpool CAMHS Training Page
Charlie Waller Trust – Eating Disorder Workshops for Parents and Carers
NHS England Workforce, Training and Education Division has funded the Charlie Waller Trust to deliver FREE New Maudsley Carers Skills workshops direct to parents and carers.
Each course consists of 5 workshops covering:
- Psychoeducation and empathy
- Cycle of change and motivational language
- Reflecting on caring responses
- What to try when things feel stuck
- Coaching your loved one to make their own changes
- Relapse contingency planning
To view upcoming dates and booking information – visit the Charlie Waller Trust website
Resources and Toolkits
Here you can find a range of downloadable / online toolkits for specific audiences:
National Eating Disorders Association – Parent Toolkit
FEAST – Information for Parents
BEAT National Eating Disorder Charity – Eating Disorder Downloadable Resources
Educational Videos
An insightful animation that explores what it’s like to live with an eating disorder and the CAMHS eating disorder pathway.
Find more CAMHS films and animations here!