Eating Disorders: Support Resources

Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses that typically don’t resolve without professional treatment. Seeking early intervention for signs of these conditions can be important for improving long-term outcomes. However, it can sometimes be difficult to know where to start when looking for this kind of help. See below for a collection of eating disorders resources—including established organizations listing helplines, nutritional counseling covered by insurance, and support and education resources for families affected by eating disorders, among others.

Eating disorder facts

An eating disorder is a mental illness marked by disturbances in eating behavior accompanied by distressing thoughts and emotions that can seriously affect one's physical and mental health. The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) notes that eating disorders can affect people of all backgrounds, ages, genders, body shapes and weights. If left unaddressed, eating disorders can have serious mental and physical health consequences and can even lead to death in severe cases.

Types of eating disorders

There are seven different types of recognized eating disorders. These include:

• Anorexia nervosa
• Bulimia nervosa
• Binge eating disorder (BED)
• Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID)
• Other specified feeding and eating disorders (OSFED)
• Pica
• Rumination disorder

Each of these has its own signs and symptoms. The unifying thread is that each is classified as a mental illness involving psychological challenges that may manifest as disordered eating behaviors.

Causes of eating disorders

Research findings suggest that eating disorders may stem from a complex interplay of genetic, biological, environmental, psychological, and social factors. Studies also indicate that while genetic and heritable factors may play a role in why some people develop an eating disorder, those without a family history of this condition could also be affected. In other words, while having certain risk factors for an eating disorder could increase your chances of developing one, it’s not a certainty. In addition, even those without notable risk factors may still develop this type of condition. That’s why it’s important for everyone to get familiar with the early signs of these illnesses and for eating disorder screenings to become routine and widespread.

Warning signs of an eating disorder

Warning signs of an eating disorder can vary depending on the type as well as other individualized factors. That said, some common warning signs across disorders in this category could include:

• Preoccupation with food and eating
• Intense worry about weight and body shape
• Rigid exercise routines
• Not wanting to eat around others; eating in secret
• Eating very small portions of food
• Making excuses for not eating
• Visits to the bathroom after meals
• Excessive exercising
• Strict routines and habits around food
• Changes in mood, such as feeling low and irritable
• Withdrawing socially

National and global organizations offering support for eating disorders 

Many organizations offer relevant information, support, and guidance for people with eating disorders. Awareness of these resources can enable you to find help for yourself or a loved one. Again, seeking direct support from a licensed healthcare professional is typically required to promote eating disorder recovery, and national organizations can help point you in the right direction.

Websites for eating disorder information and resources

If you’re not sure where to begin in seeking help for an eating disorder, you might explore some reputable websites that offer information, resource-finder tools, support groups, and more. Some national and global organizations that provide eating disorders support resources like these include:

• National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD): ANAD’s website lists peer support groups, a directory of treatment providers, guides on eating disorder recovery, recovery mentors, and more. They also offer a helpline available Monday–Friday for emotional support and referrals.
• National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA): NEDA offers a screening tool for those who believe they might have an eating disorder, a directory of treatment providers across the US, and the Grace Holland Cozine Resource Center, where one can search for comprehensive resources for themselves or others who might be struggling with an eating disorder. For example, it offers education for caregivers, tips for self-care, tips for transitioning from treatment programs, and more. 
• National Alliance for Eating Disorders: This organization’s website offers support groups, information about eating disorders, and a database of treatment options according to one's search criteria. 
• Eating Disorder Hope: This organization offers an online community with resources, support groups, education, and self-help tips for people struggling with disordered eating behaviors. 
• Families Empowered and Supporting Treatment of Eating Disorders (FEAST): The FEAST organization provides support for people affected by eating disorders, plus webinars and education for parents and loved ones of people with this type of illness.

Finding specific support for anorexia nervosa, bulimia, or other eating disorders

There are also many helpful resources for those wishing to receive support, education, and treatment for a particular condition that they’ve already been diagnosed with. These can help a person locate services, treatment options, and other tools to support recovery. 

Resources for illnesses like anorexia nervosa

Among the resources available for specific eating disorders are:

• The Body Project offers a forum for high school and college students to promote body-image acceptance.
• Eating Recovery Center offers informational Q&A events on treatment options, support groups, and types of treatment available.
• EDA is a twelve-step fellowship program for people seeking to support each other's recovery from an eating disorder. Meetings are held through Zoom and in person. 
• FEDUP offers resources and support for trans+, intersex, and gender diverse people with eating disorders.

Eating disorder treatment

Eating disorder treatment usually takes the form of a multidisciplinary approach involving different professionals to promote recovery. For example, medical care and nutritional counseling may address the need to restore nutrition and stabilize health, and talk therapy can help individuals develop healthier ways to manage stress and address unhelpful thinking and behavioral patterns. 

In some cases, inpatient or residential treatment may be recommended for individuals who require more intensive care. Outpatient programs and counseling can be used to support individuals after undergoing these programs, or for those with less severe symptoms. 

Types of talk therapy to promote recovery from eating disorder 

Recognizing and accepting that one has an eating disorder may be challenging, as many people experience anxiety about changing eating patterns and the effects of doing so. However, multidisciplinary and holistic treatment can enable one to restore their physical and psychological health and develop a healthier relationship with food and body image.

Among the kinds of psychotherapy approaches commonly used to address disordered eating are:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
• Family-based treatment (FBT)

Resources for the mental health aspects of an eating disorder

Eating disorders are mental illnesses with significant, underlying psychological factors. They may also coincide with other mental health conditions. For example, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and alcohol and substance use disorders are some mental health conditions that frequently co-occur with eating disorders. The relationship between eating disorders and other mental illnesses is believed to be intersectional, with each condition affecting the other, underscoring the need for a holistic approach to treatment.

If you are struggling with substance use, contact the SAMHSA National Helpline at (800) 662-4357 to receive support and resources. Support is available 24/7.

Organizations that offer mental health support

Resources for general mental health include the following

• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) offers research findings, information on treatment options, and resources for mental health and recovery.
• National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) is an organization that provides mental health education, resources, advocacy, self-help tools, and more.
• Mental Health America (MHA) offers education, screening tools, and other mental health resources.

Explore your relationship with food in therapy

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Exploring therapy for eating disorders

Again, some form of talk therapy is usually a key component of eating disorder treatment. A trained therapist may be able to help clients get at the root of their disordered eating behaviors and learn healthier coping mechanisms for difficult emotions. Therapy is usually recommended in combination with other treatment methods for eating disorders, such as in-person medical care and nutrition counseling.

Particularly if a person with an eating disorder is already engaging in these other types of in-person care, making time for regular therapy appointments as well can be difficult. This is an example of a situation in which online therapy can be particularly useful. With online therapy through a platform like BetterHelp, you can get matched and then meet with a licensed therapist from anywhere you have an internet connection. 

Several studies indicate the potential benefits of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) delivered online to address mental health conditions. For example, one study evaluated the long-term effectiveness of online cognitive behavioral therapy for eating disorders, and its findings suggest that this approach can be effective in reducing symptoms of eating disorders for up to one year following therapy. The study’s authors note that improvements were made in participant symptoms in various areas, including body dissatisfaction, physical and mental health, and self-esteem.