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Eating disorders

Revisado: 4 de octubre de 2026

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Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions, and they can be treated. Here are the signs, how they can affect periods, and how to get help early.

What an eating disorder is

An eating disorder is a mental health condition. People with an eating disorder may use food, or control over food, as a way to cope with hard feelings. Eating disorders are serious and can be life-threatening, but they can be treated successfully. Anyone can develop one, though teenagers and young adults are affected most often. You may be more likely to develop one if someone in your family has had an eating disorder, or if you live with anxiety or low self-esteem.

Types of eating disorder

Anorexia involves trying to control your weight by not eating enough, exercising too much, or both. Bulimia means losing control over eating, then trying to get rid of the food or avoid weight gain in harmful ways. Binge eating disorder means regularly eating very large amounts of food, often feeling unable to stop, until you feel uncomfortably full. ARFID (avoidant restrictive food intake disorder) means avoiding certain foods, limiting how much you eat, or both. When symptoms do not fit one type, it may be called OSFED (other specified feeding or eating disorder).

Signs to look out for

Signs include spending a lot of time worrying about your weight or body shape, eating very little, and exercising too much. Mood can change, with feeling withdrawn, anxious or low. Your body may also show signs, such as feeling cold, tired or dizzy, and bloating, constipation or diarrhoea. In someone else, you might notice them eating very fast, going to the toilet a lot after eating, or wearing loose, baggy clothes.

Why periods can stop

Not getting your period is one of the signs of an eating disorder, and it is an important warning sign. When the body does not get enough food, a part of the brain called the hypothalamus can slow down the hormone that the cycle depends on. Periods may become irregular or stop. Oestrogen helps keep bones strong. The low oestrogen that comes with lost periods, together with poor nutrition, can weaken bones over time.

Getting help

If you think you might have an eating disorder, see a doctor or nurse as soon as you can. Treatment usually includes talking therapy and regular health checks, and recovery looks different for everyone. Getting help early gives you the best chance of a full recovery. If you are worried about someone else, let them know you care and encourage them to see a doctor. Get emergency help if someone with an eating disorder faints, has chest pain, or has a very fast or uneven heartbeat. If you are thinking about harming yourself or ending your life, get emergency help or contact a crisis line now.

This is general information, not a diagnosis. If you are worried about your eating or someone else's, talk to a doctor or nurse.