Eating Disorders: When to Worry and What to Do Next

You've noticed a pupil skipping lunch, hiding in baggy clothes or suddenly exercising every day. You're not sure it's an eating disorder, and you're scared of making things worse. But the longer an eating disorder goes unnoticed, the more it takes hold.

A mental health nurse who has worked in eating disorders for 25 years, ever since her sister became ill, explains what sits beneath the "tip of the iceberg" and why most people with an eating disorder aren't underweight. Her way in is simple. Prepare, find a safe space, listen, and don't delay. You'll get opening lines ("I've noticed…", "I'm worried about you") and a clear sense of what not to say, starting with any comment on weight.

Young people are far more likely to tell a teacher than a parent, so it helps to be ready.