Eating disorders

Patterns that affect a person's relationship with food and their body — both medically and psychologically serious.

What it is

Eating disorders — including anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder — are serious conditions involving a person's relationship with food, weight, or body image. They affect people of every gender, age, and body size, and carry real physical risk alongside the psychological toll.

Common signs

Preoccupation with food, calories, or body shape that takes up significant mental space
Eating in secret, or strict rules around when, what, or how much to eat
Eating much more than intended and feeling unable to stop
Compensating for eating through purging, excessive exercise, or fasting
Significant changes in weight, energy, or ability to concentrate
Avoiding meals or situations involving food

Good to know

Eating disorders are not about vanity or willpower, and they don't always come with visible weight change — someone can be seriously unwell at any body size. Early intervention significantly improves outcomes, which is why NL treats this as a priority area with both inpatient and outpatient options.

What helps

Treatment usually involves a team — medical monitoring, a dietitian, and a therapist — working together rather than any one approach alone. Family-based approaches are often part of treatment for younger people specifically.

When to seek help

If eating, exercise, or body image has started to feel controlling rather than chosen, raise it with a doctor sooner rather than later — EDFNL and the Janeway HOPE program can also be a starting point without going through emergency care first.

Services that can help

See all related services in NL