Eating disorders
Eating disorders are serious but treatable mental health conditions that involve difficulties with eating, food or body image. Getting help early makes a difference.
- Updated August 2026
- Clinical review pending
- 2 sources
At a glance
- Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions — and they are treatable.
- Getting help early can make recovery easier; support is available.
On this page (3 sections)
Overview
Eating disorders are mental health conditions where difficulties with food, eating or body image affect a person’s health and daily life. They can affect anyone, and with the right support people can and do recover [1].
Getting support
If you are worried about yourself or someone else, it is important to get help early. A GP can talk through your concerns and refer you to specialist support [1]. You do not have to cope alone.
Getting urgent help
If you need urgent help with your mental health, you can call NHS 111 and choose the mental health option, or use 111 online [2]. You can also call the Samaritans free on 116 123 at any time, or Childline on 0800 1111 if you are under 19 [2]. If anyone’s life is at risk — for example through serious self-harm or an overdose — call 999 or go to A&E [2].
Sources
- NHS. Mental health (opens in new tab) Accessed 12 August 2026.
- NHS. Where to get urgent help for mental health (opens in new tab) Last reviewed 26 April 2023. Accessed 12 August 2026.
About this page
- Written by
- Consumer Health editorial team
- Medical review
- Pending — this page has not yet been reviewed by a named clinician. Read our medical review policy.
- Last updated
- August 2026
- Next review due
- August 2027
Important: This information is for general guidance only and does not replace professional medical advice. It is not intended to diagnose or treat any condition. Always speak to a qualified healthcare professional — such as your GP or pharmacist — for advice about your individual circumstances, and do not start, stop or change any prescribed treatment based only on this page. If you think you are having a medical emergency, call 999. Consumer Health is an independent health-information resource and is not the NHS or a government body.
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