Health and Wellbeing
Spotting the Early Warning Signs of Eating Disorders/Eating Difficulties
Pick up the changes in behaviour and mood that often show up well before any change in weight, when help can make the biggest difference.
- 20 minutes
- 1 module
- 0.5 CPD hours
- Certificate
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If you need help now
- If someone is in danger, call 999.
- For urgent mental health help, call NHS 111.
- Samaritans: call 116 123, any time.
- Shout: text SHOUT to 85258.
- Childline (for children and young people): 0800 1111.
- Papyrus HOPELINEUK (suicide, under 35s): 0800 068 4141.
What you'll learn
- Use the 4 As to remember how to respond when you're worried
- Spot behaviour changes that often appear before any physical signs
- Recognise the signs of anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder and ARFID
- Look beyond weight, since most young people with an eating disorder aren't underweight
About this course
The first signs of an eating disorder are often in behaviour, like lunch skipped for a club every day, layers in warm weather or a trip to the toilet straight after eating. Most young people with an eating disorder aren't underweight, so waiting for weight loss means waiting too long.
None of those proves anything on its own, but knowing the signs lets you notice when they start to add up. You'll learn the behavioural, psychological and physical signs of anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder and ARFID. The 4 As give you a simple way to remember what to do, starting with staying alert. A young person's account of how a 'good day' of strict food rules tips into a binge helps it all make sense.
The signs are grouped disorder by disorder, so it's easy to come back to when something about a pupil doesn't sit right.
- For early career teachers, middle leaders and 4 other roles. Secondary.
1 module
- 21 min
Spotting the early warning signs of eating disorders/eating difficulties