Food and eating play an important part in our lives. We are all different in the foods we like, when we like to eat and how much we need to eat. However, some eating patterns can be damaging. Eating disorders can be defined as illnesses with a biological basis influenced by cultural and emotional factors.

Individuals have for a long time suffered in silence due to the stigma associated with eating disorders and the barriers to treatment caused by limited funding for vital research and a lack of public and professional awareness on the subject. It is common for people with eating disorders to feel that the eating disorder is the only way they can stay in control of their life, however as time passes it is the eating disorder not the individual that is really in control. Eating disorders can be potentially life threatening illnesses; however it is important to remember that recovery is possible and there is help available.

The symptoms of eating disorders can vary depending on the individual, the type of disorder and how far the condition has progressed. Individuals with symptoms of anorexia for example can become abnormally thin and avoid eating. Where as those with binge eating disorders may be overweight and sometimes eat in secret. Bulimia sufferers generally purge food through self induced vomiting, use of laxatives or other means. Alternatively sufferers tend to over exercise or fast.

Programmes aimed at the prevention of eating disorders are often described as primary prevention and secondary prevention. Primary prevention is intended to promote healthy development and prevent the manifestation of eating disorders before they begin. Identification of eating disorders at an early stage is vital and it is secondary prevention programs that are designed to do this. The chances of recovery are far greater if the eating disorder can be diagnosed at the early stage before the condition spirals out of control.

An effective prevention programme should approach issues such as the roles of men and women in society, society's obsession with physical appearance, and the development of individuals self esteem and the provision of trained professionals for participants to speak confidentially with. The success of prevention programmes can be hindered if they concentrate entirely on informing the public regarding the symptoms, signs and dangers of eating disorders.

Sufferers of eating disorders require specialist care to assist them in dealing with both the physical consequences and psychological difficulties of their condition. However, before the sufferer can start to recover they have to want to make changes in their life. An important step is to restore a balanced diet and regular eating patern to give the sufferer the strength to fight the disorder.

There are a variety of ways in which you can be treated. You will more than likely be offered therapies such as: family therapy, group therapy, counselling and cognative behaviour therapy. There are of course many other forms of treatment and these will also include treatment for any medical treatment that has resulted from your eating disorder.