Eating Difficulties and Eating Disorders
Eating difficulties and eating disorders both affect a person’s relationship with food, eating, body image, and emotional wellbeing. They can cause significant distress and may impact both physical and mental health.
While they are different in severity and diagnosis, they often exist on a spectrum and may overlap. All concerns around eating and body image deserve understanding and support.
What Are Eating Difficulties?
Eating difficulties refer to unhelpful or distressing patterns around food, eating, or body image that may not meet the criteria for a diagnosed eating disorder.
They may include:
- worrying about food, weight, or body shape
- irregular eating patterns (such as skipping meals or inconsistent eating)
- feeling anxious, guilty, or stressed around food
- cycles of overeating or restrictive eating behaviours
- low self-esteem linked to body image
- rigid food rules or anxiety around eating
Eating difficulties can still have a serious impact on emotional wellbeing and daily life.
What Are Eating Disorders?
Eating disorders are clinically recognised mental health conditions involving more severe and persistent difficulties with eating behaviours, thoughts, and emotions.
They may include:
- Anorexia Nervosa – restricting food intake and an intense fear of weight gain
- Bulimia Nervosa – cycles of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviours such as purging
- Binge Eating Disorder – recurring episodes of eating large amounts of food with a sense of loss of control
- Other specified feeding or eating disorders (OSFED)
Eating disorders can have serious effects on both physical and mental health and often require specialist treatment.
Signs and Effects
Eating difficulties and eating disorders can affect people in different ways.
Emotional and Mental Effects
You may experience:
- anxiety around food or eating situations
- low mood, shame, or guilt
- preoccupation with weight, shape, or food
- feeling out of control around eating
- low self-esteem or body dissatisfaction
Physical Effects
You may notice:
- fatigue or low energy
- dizziness or fainting
- changes in weight
- digestive issues
- disrupted sleep
- feeling physically unwell
Behavioural Effects
These may include:
- avoiding meals or eating in secret
- strict food rules or rituals
- frequent body checking or weighing
- social withdrawal, especially around food situations
- cycles of restriction, bingeing, or guilt
Understanding Eating Difficulties and Eating Disorders
Eating and body image difficulties are often linked to emotional distress rather than food alone. They may develop as a way of coping with difficult feelings such as anxiety, stress, trauma, or low self-esteem.
With the right support, recovery and improvement in wellbeing is possible.
When to Seek Support
You may benefit from support if you are experiencing:
- distress or anxiety around food or eating
- persistent concerns about body image or weight
- changes in eating habits that feel difficult to control
- emotional distress linked to food or eating behaviours
- physical symptoms affecting your health or wellbeing
Early support can make a significant difference.
Reaching Out for Support
If you are struggling with eating difficulties or an eating disorder, you do not have to face it alone.
Speaking to a trained counsellor can help you:
- understand your relationship with food and emotions
- explore underlying causes such as anxiety, trauma, or self-esteem
- develop healthier coping strategies
- improve confidence and body image
- access appropriate specialist support if needed
How We Can Help
At Kernos, we provide a safe, supportive, and non-judgemental space to talk about eating difficulties and eating disorders.
We can support you to:
- reduce anxiety around food and eating
- explore emotional triggers and patterns
- build a healthier relationship with your body and food
- strengthen self-esteem and emotional wellbeing
Support is tailored to your individual needs and pace.
Urgent Support (UK)
If you are in distress or concerned about your physical or mental health, support is available.
You can contact:
- Beat Eating Disorders – Helpline 0808 801 0677 (adults) / Youthline 0808 801 0711 (under 25)
- Samaritans – Call 116 123 (free, 24/7)
- Shout – Text SHOUT to 85258 (free, 24/7)
- Childline – Call 0800 1111 or chat online (free, 24/7 for under 19s)
- NHS 111 – Call 111 for urgent support or advice
- NHS – Contact your GP or NHS Talking Therapies services
- Emergency Services (999) – If there is immediate danger or serious health risk
