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Eating Difficulties

Help / Parents & Carers / Eating Difficulties

An eating disorder is a serious mental illness that involves a person developing thoughts, feelings and eating behaviour which can take over a person’s life and make them very unwell. Eating disorders can involve eating too much or too little and becoming really unhappy, worried and preoccupied with things such as weight and shape. It’s important to remember that lots of people worry about what they look like and from time to time and might be unhappy with their weight or shape, but for someone with an eating disorder these thoughts and feelings can have a serious impact on their life. It can impact on physical health, education and general daily living, such as hanging out with friends, spending time with family, going out and taking part in activities.

There is no one cause of an eating disorder. Young people who develop eating difficulties and disorders often tell us that eating or not eating can be a way of coping with feelings of sadness, worry and stress. Sometimes life stressors such as exams, bullying, friendship or family relationship difficulties and bereavement or loss may play a part in how someone copes or feels about themselves. There are also some personal factors such as having low self-esteem, experiencing anxiety or depression, setting high standards and being perfectionistic and identifying as LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transsexual) are sometimes associated with people who develop eating disorders. However, experiencing any one of these things does not necessarily mean that someone will develop an eating disorder or difficulty.

There are many different types of eating disorders and all of them are serious. All eating disorders are treatable and a full recovery is possible. It is important to notice that you might be having a difficulty and ask for help and advice as soon as possible.

Here are some signs that there might be a problem and it’s time to get help;

Not everyone who has an eating disorder will experience all the signs and symptoms. Also, if you are experiencing some of these signs and symptoms this does necessarily mean that you have an eating disorder, but it is important to get help and advice.

Top Tips
1

It is common for people with eating difficulties to not see that there is a real problem. You may not understand why others are concerned or you might disagree that there is a problem altogether. This may make you feel angry and frustrated.

2

Try to be honest about how you are feeling with those around you.  The quicker you can get help for your difficulties, the better the outcome.

3

Take things one day at a time, each meal at a time. If you have a difficult meal or snack, start the next one afresh.

4

Find things that will motivate you to maintain a healthy eating pattern when things are hard. Things like going out with friends, doing sports and activities and achieving goals that you have set yourself.

5

There are a number of downloadable workbooks and self-help materials you might find useful.

• What’s eating you? A Workbook for Teens with Anorexia, Bulimia, and Other Eating Disorders by Tammy Nelson

• Getting Over Overeating for Teens: A Workbook to Transform Your Relationship with Food Using CBT, Mindfulness, and Intuitive Eating by Andrea Watcher

• Body Image Workbook for Teens: Activities to Help Girls Develop a Healthy Body Image in an Image-Obsessed World by Julia Taylor

• Self-Esteem Workbook for Teens: Activities to Help You Build Confidence and Achieve Your Goals by Lisa Scab

  • Skills Based Learning for Caring for a loved one with an eating disorder; The New Maudsley Method by Janet Treasure, Grainne Smith and Anna Crane
  • Anorexia and other eating disorders; how to help your child eat well and be well by Eva Musby
  • Food Refusal and Avoidant Eating in Children (including those with Autism Spectrum Conditions); A practical guide for parents and professionals
  • Self-Harm and Eating Disorders in Schools; A guide to whole school strategies and practical support by Pooky Knightsmit
6

If you are concerned that you or a young person in Hampshire may have an eating disorder and you’d like help or advice, please contact the Hampshire CAMHS Specialist Eating Disorder Team on 0300 304 0062 Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm.

Downloads:

How to support a Young Person who may have a Eating Difficulties (pdf / 264.68K)
Eating Issues Workshop slides (pdf / 259.82K)
Wellbeing in Action - Self Help Booklet (pdf / 10.11M)
The Inside Scoop (pdf / 355.31K)
Proud to be Me (pdf / 532.32K)
How to support a young person with Eating Difficulties workshop slides (vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.presentationml.presentation / 1.28M)
ARFID Workshop PACE Slides (vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.presentationml.presentation / 2.99M)
PACE 2024 ED including ARFID (vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.presentationml.presentation / 3.38M)

CAMHS Eating Difficulties and Disorders Referral Guidance

 What we do, what we don’t do and what you can do if you are worried about your child

Many young people go through phases of dieting and not eating enough. Sometimes this can tip into developing an eating disorder. Here’s a guide to help you know how best to support your young person if they are experiencing eating difficulties. This is not an exhaustive list; young people may experience symptoms which may not be included on this guide.

Green

Coping/ needs for support; These are experiences that most young people will have from time to time

Type and nature of distress

It is common for children and young people to experience eating difficulties during childhood and adolescence. These tend to be short term, have no impact on physical health or daily functioning (e.g., going to school, seeing friends, taking part in hobbies or activities) and can be managed with clear boundaries combined with the love and support of parents/ carers.

What you might see or a young person might report

  • Faddy or fussy eating; only eating a limited repertoire of foods (certain colours, textures, temperatures)
  • Wanting to or trying to diet by ‘eating healthily’ or following food movements such as the ‘clean eating’, ‘raw food’, ‘vegan’
  • Taking a more active interest in food, meal preparation, e.g. checking food labels or packaging
  • Taking a more active interest in fitness/ health or wellbeing
  • Increase in activity/ exercise
  • Talk about body dissatisfaction/ worrying about appearance
  • Comparing themselves to other people
  • Feeling anxious about eating in public/ in front of others
  • Young people with Type 1 diabetes may become more inconsistent with insulin and diabetes less well managed (this should be checked with a medical team as a matter of priority)
  • No longer eating foods they previously enjoyed

Things to try, support and next steps

  • Important that all young people eat regularly so insisting upon breakfast, lunch and dinner plus snacks
  • Encourage balanced life style; need all food groups (carbohydrates, protein, fats, vegetables and fruits, dairy/ dairy alternatives ) plus it’s ok to have snacks and treats
  • Ensure young people are well hydrated; aim for 6-8 glasses per day (water, milk) and large quantities of avoid sugary drinks
  • Be active with your young person so that you can monitor and ensure they are exercising in a way that is appropriate
  • If you are concerned about your child’s eating:

See your GP (ask for physical health observations to be done- height, weight, blood pressure, pulse)

Inform your child’s school to share concerns and ask if they have noticed any other concerns

  • Monitor and restrict use of apps/ gadgets that track exercise and food e.g., My Fitness Pal and Fitbit watches
  • Encourage team sports and activities rather than solitary activities such as sport. Ensure food and fluids are had before and after exercise.
  • Monitor use of social media and ensure only positive accounts are being followed/ accessed
  • Discourage talking about body concerns, weight or food/ eating habits with others

Useful resources:

  • For fussy/ faddy eating : Food Refusal and Avoidant Eating in Children; A Practical Guide for Parents and Professionals
  • The Self-Esteem Workbook by Lisa Schab
  • Banish Your Self-Esteem Thief by Kate Collins-Donnelly
  • Banish Your Body-Image Thief by Kate Collins- Donnelly
  • Beat (eating disorder charity): https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/

Amber

Needs for help; These are challenges that some young people experience and may need some support with

Type and nature of distress

The degree to which a young person experiences eating difficulties may cause the young person distress or might have some mild impact on their ability to cope with everyday life such as going to or coping at school, seeing friends or taking part in leisure activities. The family may also be experiencing a degree of stress characterised by more arguments or disagreements around food/ mealtimes, exercise levels/known or suspected vomiting. Other people may be commenting or noticing there is a difficulty or noticing change in weight. These difficulties may have been going on for a few weeks.

What you might see or a young person might report

  • A committed and persistent effort to lose weight or control weight or shape through:

Dieting/ restricting food intake

Exercising/ increased activity

Purging (self-induced vomiting)

Taking laxatives

Or

Eating excessive amounts/ bingeing/ constantly seeking food; gaining weight

  • Experiencing upset or distress/ feeling of guilt or shame after eating
  • Dissatisfaction about body image
  • More emotionally labile/ more sensitive (upset, irritable, withdrawn) especially when boundaries are put in around food or exercise
  • More argumentative (especially around food or mealtimes)
  • More controlling or rigid around food/ mealtimes and other areas of life
  • Preoccupied/ overly concerned/ interested by food (e.g., counting calories)
  • May show some signs of physical compromise e.g., gradual weight loss, tired/ lethargic, difficulties concentrating, not seeming usual self, feeling cold
  • Other areas of life might be a struggle e.g., academic work, friendships, engaging in family life

Things to try, support and next steps

  • Seek advice and consultation from our Specialist Eating Disorder Team: 03003040062 or email: HANTSCAMHSEDT@nhs.net
  • Important that all young people eat regularly so insisting upon breakfast, lunch and dinner plus snacks
  • Encourage balanced life style; need all food groups (carbohydrates, protein, vegetables and fruits, dairy/ dairy alternatives ) plus it’s ok to have snacks
  • Ensure young people are well hydrated; aim for 6-8 glasses per day (water, milk, avoid sugary drinks)
  • Support during mealtimes
  • Support your young person to access self-help resources including:

YP section- eating difficulties, anxiety, depression (see downloads)

Podcasts and Videos Section on our website

  • Watch our parent/ carer workshop on:

How to support a young person with an eating difficulty here: https://youtu.be/-ApfAzKOy60

How to support a young person with anxiety: https://youtu.be/LMFQHABnH1M

How to support a young person with depression/ in crisis/ who engages in self-harm: https://youtu.be/qBAZQVjSmQU

  • Share concerns with your child’s school/ college
  • See your child’s GP; ask for physical observations to be taken (including; height, weight, temperature, blood pressure, pulse and request a blood test)
  • Inform and access pastoral support from school
  • Monitor and restrict use of apps or gadgets that track exercise and food e.g., My Fitness Pal and Fitbit watches
  • Monitor use of social media and ensure only positive accounts are being followed/ accessed

Other Useful resources:

  • For fussy/ faddy eating : Food Refusal and Avoidant Eating in Children; A Practical Guide for Parents and Professionals
  • What’s Eating you? A Workbook for Teens with Eating Disorders by Tammy Nelson
  • The Self-Esteem Workbook by Lisa Schab
  • Banish Your Self-Esteem Thief by Kate Collins-Donnelly
  • Banish Your Body-Image Thief by Kate Collins- Donnelly
  • Beat (eating disorder charity): https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/

Red

Needs Specialist Treatment or a Crisis Response; These are difficulties that cause a significant impact and a young person may need specialist support.

Type and nature of distress

The degree to which a young person experiences eating difficulties may cause the young person distress or might have an impact on their ability to cope with everyday life such as going to or coping at school, seeing friends or taking part in leisure activities. The family may also be experiencing a degree of stress characterised by; more arguments or disagreements around food/ mealtimes or exercise levels/known or suspected vomiting. Other people may be commenting or noticing there is a difficulty or noticing change in weight.

The difficulties may have had a sudden onset at a significant level of concern or may have been deteriorating gradually over a long period of time.

What you might see or a young person might report

Emergency symptoms – seek immediate medical advice

  • Sudden or rapid weight loss
  • Fainting/ collapse
  • Drowsiness
  • Refusing food or drink for more than 24 hours
  • Chest pains
  • Concerns about daily vomiting
  • Significant restriction of food (and fluid) leading to rapid weight loss. This is a concern for both young people that lose weight and become underweight as well as young people who perhaps are overweight then lose weight and appear a healthy weight. It is the speed of weight loss not necessarily just their weight that is a concern.
  • Young person may avoid eating; excuses such as ‘have already eaten’, ‘not hungry’, ‘don’t feel well’
  • Distress prior to, during or after meals. You might notice your young person may want to prepare their own food or eat alone
  • Preoccupation with food/ eating/ weight or shape or having rituals around eating/ preparing food such as weighing food, eating with certain crockery/ cutlery
  • Unusual eating behaviour such as unusual combinations of food or cutting up food into very small pieces/ eating very slowly
  • Hiding or throwing food away
  • Weight control behaviour including; exercise/ increased activity, laxative/ diuretic misuse, self-induced vomiting
  • Young people with Type 1 diabetes may become more inconsistent with insulin and diabetes less well managed
  • Reluctance, avoidance or secrecy of the young person to talk about eating; lack of recognition of concern that others may have or minimising the extent of difficulties
  • More withdrawn/ lethargic or tired
  • Feeling physical unwell; dizzy, light-headed, chest pains, fainting, stomach pains, constipation, coldness
  • Symptoms of vomiting including bad breath and swollen or puffy face; poor dental health
  • More emotionally labile/ more sensitive (upset, irritable, withdrawn) especially when boundaries are put in around food or exercise
  • More argumentative (especially around food or mealtimes), may become aggressive and violent#
  • May hide under baggy clothing
  • Either becomes preoccupied by checking themselves in the mirror and weighing or avoids mirrors altogether
  • Frequent trips to the bathroom especially after meals
  • For girls: periods stop (they make stop asking for feminine hygiene products)

Things to try, support and next steps

Seek advice and consultation from our Specialist Eating Disorders Team: 03003040062 or email: SPNT.HANTSCAMHSEDT@nhs.net

  • Share concerns with your child’s school/ college
  • See your child’s GP; ask for physical observations to be taken (including; height, weight, temperature, blood pressure, pulse and request a blood test)
  • Important that all young people eat regularly so insisting upon breakfast, lunch and dinner plus snacks. Support and supervise meals and snacks. If a young person has severely restricted their food and fluid, you must seek advice from a medical professional about restarting eating and drinking as this needs to be done with careful monitoring of physical health.
  • Encourage balanced life style; need all food groups (carbohydrates, protein, vegetables and fruits, dairy/ dairy alternatives ) plus it’s ok to have snacks
  • Ensure young people are well hydrated; aim for 6-8 glasses per day (water, milk, avoid sugary drinks)
  • Support your young person to access self-help resources including:

YP section- eating difficulties, anxiety, depression (see downloads)

Podcasts and Videos Section on our website

  • Watch our parent/ carer workshop on:

how to support a young person with an eating difficulty here: TO BE ADDED

how to support a young person with anxiety: TO BE ADDED

how to support a young person with depression: TO BE ADDED

  • Inform and access pastoral support from school
  • Monitor and restrict use of apps/ gadgets that track exercise and food e.g., My Fitness Pal or Fitbit watches
  • Monitor use of social media and ensure only positive accounts are being followed/ accessed

Other Useful resources:

  • For fussy/ faddy eating : Food Refusal and Avoidant Eating in Children; A Practical Guide for Parents and Professionals
  • Skills based Learning for caring for a Loved One with an Eating Disorder by Janet Treasure, Grainne Smith and Anna Crane
  • Anorexia and Other Eating Disorders; How to help Your Child Eat Well and Be Well by Eva Musby
  • When your teen has an eating disorder by Lauren Muheim
  • The Self-Esteem Workbook by Lisa Schab
  • Banish Your Self-Esteem Thief by Kate Collins-Donnelly
  • Banish Your Body-Image Thief by Kate Collins- Donnelly
  • Beat (eating disorder charity): https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/

The Eating Difficulties and Disorders threshold sections can be downloaded in a version to use with a young person, to record their experiences and the intensity, from the following links:

Threshold Guidance – Eating Difficulties and Disorders – Green

Threshold Guidance – Eating Difficulties and Disorders – Amber

Threshold Guidance – Eating Difficulties and Disorders – Red

Previous Next

Watch: Previous Next Video 1 of 15

  • Practical tips for families caring for a child with an eating disorder
  • What are eating disorders and their impact on the body
  • The treatment approach for an eating disorder
  • How eating disorders impact family life and what causes them
  • What is an eating disorder?
  • Meet the team at Hampshire Specialist Eating Disorder Service
  • Hampshire CAMHS - boosting body image and self-esteem
  • Hampshire CAMHS - how to support a young person with an eating difficulty
  • Is there a link between social media and eating difficulties?
  • Eating Disorders in Children and Young People - E-Learning part 1
  • Eating Disorders in Children and Young People - E-Learning part 2
  • Eating Disorders in Children and Young People - E-Learning part 3
  • Eating Disorders in Children and Young People - E-Learning part 4
  • Eating Disorders in Children and Young People - E-Learning part 5
  • Eating Disorders in Children and Young People - E-Learning part 6
  • Practical tips for families caring for a child with an eating disorder
  • What are eating disorders and their impact on the body
  • The treatment approach for an eating disorder
  • How eating disorders impact family life and what causes them
  • What is an eating disorder?
  • Meet the team at Hampshire Specialist Eating Disorder Service
  • Hampshire CAMHS - boosting body image and self-esteem
  • Hampshire CAMHS - how to support a young person with an eating difficulty
  • Is there a link between social media and eating difficulties?
  • Eating Disorders in Children and Young People - E-Learning part 1
  • Eating Disorders in Children and Young People - E-Learning part 2
  • Eating Disorders in Children and Young People - E-Learning part 3
  • Eating Disorders in Children and Young People - E-Learning part 4
  • Eating Disorders in Children and Young People - E-Learning part 5
  • Eating Disorders in Children and Young People - E-Learning part 6

Podcasts:

Where do you seek help for eating concerns - a parent view
Listen now | Download
Referral to eating disorder team and early days
Listen now | Download
Parents discuss the early signs they noticed of an eating issue
Listen now | Download
How do tell friends and family about your child's eating disorder
Listen now | Download
How do parents cope when their child won't eat
Listen now | Download
Hampshire CAMHS eating disorder support group
Listen now | Download
CAMHS Treatment for Eating Disorders
Listen now | Download
Nomai's Eating Disorder journey
Listen now | Download
What it's like having an Eating Disorder in relation to exercise, sport and holidays?
Listen now | Download
What would you want people to know about Eating Disorders?
Listen now | Download

Websites:

Beat Eating Disorders
Child Feeding Guide
Supporting your Childs Recovery
Arfid Awareness UK