Eating disorders involve disturbances in eating behaviour, such as extreme and unhealthy restriction of food intake and/or severe overeating, as well as feelings of distress or extreme concern about body shape and /or weight. Such disturbances can put physical health and functioning at risk. Eating disorders can be triggered by a variety of causes such as genetics, psychological and/or social influences. More often they are a way of coping with difficult thoughts, emotions or experiences.
Commonly, people with eating disorders feel that controlling their eating habits is the only way they can maintain control of their life, when in fact the eating disorder begins to control them.
The types of eating disorder an individual experiences may change over time and the majority of people with eating disorders fall into the following categories:
• Anorexia Nervosa
• Bulimia Nervosa
• EDNOS (Eating Disorders not otherwise specified)

The nature of the service required by an individual with a suspected or diagnosed eating disorder is dependent on a number of factors. These include, but are not limited to, age of onset, the severity, chronicity, complexity and risk associated with the presenting symptoms and wider health and social care needs. A comprehensive range of services for this population will include primary, secondary and tertiary care, including specialist inpatient care for a minority.