The pandemic is causing a tsunami of eating disorders, and it s unlikely to let up
“We expect the tsunami is still coming. We don’t think it has been and gone, said one expert. By
Anagha Srikanth | Feb. 12, 2021
If you or someone you know is experiencing disordered eating, call the National Eating Disorders Association Helpline at 1-800-931-2237 for support Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. EST and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST.
For many, the coronavirus pandemic disrupted their life more than anything they’ve ever experienced. That shock, both mental and physical, has triggered a spike in eating disorders that experts warn is only getting worse.
First published on Wed 16 Dec 2020 12.55 EST
A doubling of urgent referrals for children with eating disorders combined with a squeeze on services caused by the pandemic has led to an increase in waiting times, with some patients sent hundreds of miles to obtain help, psychiatrists have said.
A staggering one in five women in England may have an eating disorder, according to the NHS Health Survey for England. The figures for 2019 are far higher than those in a comparable survey in 2007.
The number of young people seeking emergency support in the community for anorexia and bulimia reached an all-time high, as mental health practitioners say eating disorders thrive in the isolation brought on by coronavirus. However, available treatment has been further reduced, as most day services are either closed or run with hugely reduced numbers. A leading psychiatrist said the situation was leading to avoidable deaths.