Eating Disorder Awareness Week (21 February – 1 March): Recognising the Signs and Seeking Support

BY: Bloomfield Health / February 26, 2026

Eating Disorder Awareness Week (21 February – 1 March) is an important opportunity to raise understanding of eating disorders, challenge stigma, and encourage early intervention. Eating disorders can be serious mental health conditions—not lifestyle choices or phases—and they can affect people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds. At Bloomfield Health, we believe that awareness must go hand in hand with access to high-quality, evidence-based care. Early recognition and specialist treatment can make a meaningful difference to recovery outcomes.

What Is an Eating Disorder?

Eating disorders can be complex mental health conditions characterised by disturbances in eating behaviour and related thoughts and emotions. According to the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych), eating disorders have among the highest mortality rates of all mental health conditions, largely due to medical complications and increased risk of suicide.

Common types include:

Anorexia Nervosa

• Restriction of food intake leading to significantly low body weight.
• Intense fear of gaining weight.
• Distorted perception of body shape or weight.

Bulimia Nervosa

• Recurrent episodes of binge eating.
• Compensatory behaviours such as vomiting, excessive exercise, or misuse of laxatives.
• Self-evaluation overly influenced by body shape and weight.

Binge Eating Disorder

• Recurrent binge eating episodes without regular compensatory behaviours.
• Often associated with feelings of shame or loss of control.

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)

• Restricted intake not driven by body image concerns but by sensory sensitivities, fear of choking, or lack of interest in eating.
• Can occur in children, adolescents, and adults.

NICE guidelines (NG69) emphasise that eating disorders can occur at any weight and that clinical risk is not determined solely by BMI.

Who Is Affected?

Eating disorders affect:

• Children, adolescents, and adults.
• Men as well as women.
• People from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
• Individuals with neurodivergence (e.g. autism spectrum condition, ADHD).
• Professionals and high-achieving individuals.

Misconceptions—such as the belief that eating disorders only affect teenage girls—delay diagnosis and treatment. Stigma can also prevent people from seeking help.

Warning Signs to Look Out For

Early identification improves outcomes. Signs may include:

• Significant weight loss or fluctuations.
• Obsession with calories, dieting, or body checking.
• Avoidance of eating with others.
• Rigid food rules or rituals.
• Excessive exercise.
• Frequent bathroom visits after meals.
• Mood changes, irritability, or social withdrawal.

In ARFID, signs may include:

• Very limited food range.
• Anxiety around textures or swallowing.
• Nutritional deficiencies.

If you are concerned about yourself or someone else, professional assessment is essential. Eating disorders are medical and psychiatric conditions requiring specialist input.

Why Early Intervention Matters

Research consistently shows that early treatment improves recovery rates and reduces long-term complications. NICE guidelines recommend:

• Prompt referral for specialist assessment.
• Family-based therapy for children and adolescents with anorexia nervosa.
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Eating Disorders (CBT-ED) as first-line treatment for many adults.
• Regular medical monitoring where there is physical risk.

Delays can increase the risk of:

• Cardiac complications.
• Osteoporosis.
• Fertility difficulties.
• Severe depression and self-harm.
• Chronic illness trajectory.

Eating disorders are not simply about food—they are often rooted in emotional regulation difficulties, trauma, perfectionism, anxiety, or neurodevelopmental factors.

The Role of Specialist Psychiatric Assessment

A comprehensive psychiatric assessment is crucial to:

• Clarify diagnosis.
• Assess medical and psychiatric risk.
• Identify co-occurring conditions (e.g. depression, anxiety, OCD, autism).
• Develop a tailored treatment plan.

At Bloomfield Health, our approach is holistic, trauma-informed, and evidence-based. We recognise that eating disorders are often maintained by complex psychological and biological factors.

Dr Lucy Stephenson – Consultant Psychiatrist

As part of Eating Disorder Awareness Week, we are pleased to highlight the work of Dr Lucy Stephenson, Consultant Psychiatrist, who provides specialist assessment and management of eating disorders at Bloomfield Health.

Dr Stephenson brings:

• Extensive experience in diagnosing and treating eating disorders across the lifespan.
• Expertise in managing complex and treatment-resistant presentations.
• A compassionate, collaborative approach.
• Experience working with families, employers, and other professionals where appropriate.
• Care that aligns with NICE and RCPsych guidance.

Her assessments are thorough and sensitive, recognising that many patients feel shame, fear, or ambivalence about seeking help. Dr Stephenson works with individuals to build trust and create realistic, structured recovery plans.

For professionals, including GPs, therapists, and legal or occupational health referrers, Dr Stephenson provides clear, evidence-based psychiatric reports and treatment recommendations.

Eating Disorders and Co-Occurring Conditions

Eating disorders rarely occur in isolation. Common co-occurring difficulties include:

• Major depressive disorder.
• Generalised anxiety disorder.
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder.
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
• Autism spectrum condition.
• Personality vulnerabilities linked to perfectionism or emotional dysregulation.

Understanding these overlapping factors is essential. Treatment that addresses only eating behaviours without exploring underlying drivers may be incomplete.

Bloomfield Health’s private psychiatry services enable comprehensive assessment and integrated care planning.

Supporting Someone with an Eating Disorder

If you are supporting a loved one:

• Avoid commenting on weight or appearance.
• Express concern about wellbeing, not food.
• Encourage professional assessment.
• Be patient—recovery is rarely linear.
• Seek support for yourself if needed.

Families often experience confusion and distress. Evidence-based family interventions can be highly effective, particularly for younger individuals.

Reducing Stigma

Eating Disorder Awareness Week also reminds us to challenge harmful narratives:

• Eating disorders are not a choice.
• They are not about vanity.
• Recovery is possible.
• People of any body size can be seriously unwell.
• Men and older adults are affected too.

Compassion and informed care are central to improving outcomes.

When to Seek Help

You should seek urgent medical attention if there are signs of:

• Fainting or collapse.
• Severe dehydration.
• Chest pain.
• Suicidal thoughts.
• Rapid weight loss with physical symptoms.

Otherwise, early psychiatric assessment is recommended if disordered eating behaviours are persistent, distressing, or impacting daily functioning.

How Bloomfield Health Can Help

Bloomfield Health offers:

• Private psychiatric assessments for eating disorders.
• Risk assessment and medical liaison.
• Medication review where indicated.
• Collaborative treatment planning.
• Reports for GPs, employers, insurers, or legal professionals where required.
• Discreet, compassionate care.

If you are concerned about yourself or someone you care about, contact Bloomfield Health to arrange an assessment with Dr Lucy Stephenson or a member of our specialist team.

Early support can make a significant difference.