Supporting someone with

An eating disorder

You do not need to identify a particular eating disorder before you speak to them or help them seek support. Start with what is happening now.

Could someone be in immediate danger? Call 999 or go to A&E if someone's life is at risk. For urgent mental-health help without immediate danger, call their existing crisis team if they have one. Otherwise open the urgent-help page and call the service shown for their UK nation. If you are worried about their physical health, seek medical advice rather than trying to judge the seriousness yourself.

Sources: NHS and Royal College of Psychiatrists

NHS: eating disorders and Royal College: medical emergencies in eating disorders.

Are they under 18? These pages focus on supporting an adult. See NHS support for children and young people. If you are under 18 and supporting someone else, see young-carer rights and support.

What do you need help with?

Before a conversation

They have not spoken about what is happening

Start with changes you have noticed, or support them gently from a distance.

Conversation

I do not know how to raise it

Choose the moment, focus on what you have noticed and avoid comments about appearance.

Professional help

Help them get assessed

Choose between a GP, urgent advice and emergency help, then ask for specialist support.

At home

Meals are tense or frightening

Reduce pressure and unhelpful talk. If professional advice exists, follow it rather than making rules at home.

Refused help

They say nothing is wrong

Stay connected, record changes and get advice without waiting for agreement.

Longer term

Keep your support sustainable

Protect the relationship, include other people and find support for yourself.

Peer support

Talk to people who understand

Find Beat's family and friends community and other supporter spaces.

What this area is based on

Beat advises approaching the person calmly, avoiding blame and focusing on how they are feeling rather than weight or food. NICE says treatment decisions should not be based on a single measure such as body mass index or how long someone has been unwell.

Sources: Beat and NICE

Beat: worried about someone and NICE guideline NG69.

Here for Someone is an independent information project. It is not a helpline or medical service. This area organises public guidance from the organisations linked beside the relevant information; it has not been clinically reviewed by Here for Someone.

Sources checked: 27 August 2026