Eating disorders are psychological illnesses that typically worsen over time with the highest level of fatality of all psychiatric conditions.

Here is a 10 minute excerpt of a documentary I took part in around 12 years ago which was shown on Sky TV about women who are a size zero. This part shows Kelly struggling with an eating disorder and how difficult it is for her and her boyfriend Hugo.

The effects of starving, binge eating and compulsive vomiting, use of laxatives/ diuretics, diet pills and over exercising have profound physical and psychological consequences and treatment can be vital in minimising the longer term effects.

While ED’s are most common in women, men also suffer and may be more reluctant to seek advice and support. Disordered eating is a sign that something is wrong. It is a symptom of deeper problems and often an attempt at regaining control and / or diminishing painful feelings.

Although people equate eating disorders with undereating, the most common eating disorders are Binge Eating and Compulsive Overeating. Many people struggle with their relationship with food, which is ultimately about the relationship with the self and the body.

For those on GLP-1 medications (eg. Ozempic/ Mounjaro) which switches off “food noise” and reduces appetite, this is an ideal time to work on a new relationship with eating and the underlying stressors around over eating, to prevent weight gain rebound when the medication is stopped.