Admissions for eating disorders have doubled in the past decade: "It's the most misunderstood mental illness"
We're hearing from Renew Counselling, working across Chelmsford, Braintree and Basildon
Last updated 27th Feb 2025
We're hearing from an Essex counselling service that eating disorders are one of the "most misunderstood mental illnesses".
Eating disorder awareness week runs from 24 February 2025 - 2 March 2025.
Research by BEAT Eating Disorders, the UK's eating disorder charity, reveals at least 1.25 million people in the UK are living with an eating disorder - more than 1 in 50 people.
Eating disorders like ARFID, anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder and OSFED are complex mental health conditions which are often misunderstood, mislabelled or undiagnosed which can prevent people from reaching out for help, BEAT research shows.
Renew counselling works with adults and children across Chelmsford, Basildon and Braintree.
CEO, Nikki Schuster, tells Greatest Hits Radio eating disorders caught quickly can be dealt with "in a really positive way".
"When you feel like it's no longer a choice, or you're compelled to behave in a certain way around food and eating, and you notice your inner voice is being really horrible to you, then there may be an issue" says Mrs Schuster.
Renew Counselling offer low-cost, and sometimes funded, professional counselling to the community and surrounding areas.
CEO, Mrs Schuster welcomes the awareness week and says how vital it is in understanding, particularly around "the concerning rise" in men with eating disorders.
"Young people don't feel understood when they have an eating disorder, management and care is often clunky."
BEAT research shows 1 in 4 people with eating disorders in the UK are men.
"It's perceived to be something that only impacts women so there is often an added layer of shame for men who have it.
"It's a genderless disorder, it doesn't discriminate.
"I have concerns that men are engaging in what's perceived to be harmless behaviour, but it's more concerning than they realise. Men are no safer than women to the exposure of pressures and stresses that are out there.
"Often with men, eating disorders can manifest in a very different way eg gym addiction and protein loading"
"All of that can start from a really good space, but actually it can quickly take control. If you don't go to the gym one day, the impact can be absolutely huge on someone" says Mrs Schuster.
From 2011/12 to 2022/23, admissions for eating disorders have doubled, rising from 2,287 to 4,462.
Mrs Schuster says the "free for all on social media has a large impact" on rising figures.
"A common thread amongst most with an eating disorder is that they fundamentally don't feel good about themselves.
"Living in this very fluctuating social media environment creates unrealistic ideals."
Mrs Schuster says body positive influencers have had a positive impact, but a swell of social media presence on weight loss injections has meant "suddenly the pressure is back".
Anorexia nervosa has the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric illness.
The NHS spends £4 billion a year on treatment with the total economic cost, including lost productivity, is estimated at £6.8 to £8 billion annually.
"An eating disorder creeps up on you. What might start off as a lifestyle change in order to feel better, can quickly take hold and suddenly it's controlling you, not you're controlling it."
Mrs Schuster is encouraging everyone, particularly parents and teachers, to educate themselves using recognised service sites: "it requires careful handling".
"Once you understand the complexity of the eating disorder, you can offer empathy and support, not just for the individual but for the wider family."
If you'd like to find out more about how an eating disorder can impact somebody, you can find more information on Mind: What is an eating disorder?
If you’re worried about your own or someone else’s health, you can contact Beat, the UK’s eating disorder charity, on 0808 801 0677 or beateatingdisorders.org.uk.