Eating disorders

What are Eating Disorders?

Eating disorders are serious, potentially life-threatening conditions that affect a person's relationship to food, exercise, and their body. Common eating disorders include Anorexia Nervosa, Avoidant-Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder, and Otherwise Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED). Eating disorders can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, wealth, body shape and size, or ethnicity. Many individuals can be struggling with an eating disorder while still looking ‘healthy.’

How do I know when to get help?

If you or someone you know has questions about body image, food, or exercise- it is important to know that help is out there, recovery is possible, and you are not alone.

Many people experience ups and downs in relationship to food, exercise, and/or body image. When your relationship to food, exercise, and/or your body continues to negatively affect your day-to-day life (such as ability to attend work or school, socialization, medical consequences), it can be a sign to reach out for help. Remember, you don’t have to be in immediate trouble or look a certain way to seek support. Everyone deserves support and recovery is possible.

What can I do if I think I need help?

The bravest thing you can do is acknowledge that you may need help and confide in someone you trust. Opening up is often how you can start on the path of finding self-acceptance, validation, and hope of recovery. You may want different forms of support depending on your needs and comfort levels. It’s also okay if you are not sure what support options you need or even where to start. Here are some resources you could consider getting help from:

• Trusted friends, family, or religious communities. Friends, family, teachers, coaches, co-workers, and/or a religious community (if you identify with one), can be a great source of support and encouragement. Even if they don't fully understand, they can listen, offer validation and support, and remind you that you don't have to go through this alone. Having resources ahead of the conversation can be extremely helpful as well.
• Helplines and crisis support. Helplines can connect you to trained professionals who will ask questions about how you are feeling, if you are at risk of hurting yourself, and what sort of support you need. Helplines can also provide referrals to medical or mental health professionals.
• Medical or mental health professionals. A primary care provider or psychotherapist, preferably one that has knowledge about eating disorders, can help you assess changes in your emotions and behaviors, refer you to eating disorder specialists, and explore treatment options.
• Peer support. Talking to peers who have recovered, or are recovering, from an eating disorder can be empowering and validating. Local/national support communities may also offer phone lines and support groups with individuals with lived experience with mental health conditions.

What can I do to support a friend?

Being part of the wider TikTok community means making sure your fellow community members feel safe and supported. We encourage you to let us know if you feel concerned about another person on the platform, or if you see something that you don’t think should be on TikTok you can say something.

If you have a friend struggling with their relationship to food, exercise, or their body, it is easy to feel overwhelmed and unsure of how you can help. Here are some actions you can take to support someone you are concerned about:

• For friends who have not gotten help yet- start the conversation.
• Listen with empathy and without judgment. Avoid doing or saying things that might make your friend feel guilty or ashamed, such as being too critical or providing simple solutions like “just eat”. Eating disorders are rarely only about food and, instead, are mental health disorders that can be a coping mechanism for deeper emotional distress. Sharing what may seem like an obvious solution can make your friend feel misunderstood. Instead, ask your friend open-ended questions, such as “how are you feeling today?”. Listen to their answer without judging, fixing, or interrupting, even if you don’t necessarily agree with some of what they say.
• Offer to connect them with resources. It can be hard for people who are struggling to reach out for help on their own. You can play an important role in your friend's recovery by encouraging them to seek professional help from a therapist or healthcare provider, contact a helpline, or reach out to a local support group.
• For friends on their recovery journey- encourage them.
• Encourage recovery. Be encouraging of your friend, especially if they encounter setbacks along their recovery journey, since it will not be linear or perfect. Remind them of their progress and wins, no matter how small.
• Redirect unhelpful topics. Avoid making any comments on their (or your own) appearance, weight, or food. Such comments can be taken as negative, unhelpful, or make them feel self-conscious. Instead, try to focus on the helpful, non-eating disorder parts of their life, including their interests, personality, and daily wins.
• No matter what, take care of yourself: Providing a listening and supportive ear to those around you takes significant energy. It may leave you feeling distressed or burned out. If you notice that supporting a friend is taking a toll on your own mental health, don't be afraid to take a break, set healthy boundaries, or talk to someone you trust.

More information about how to support friends who are experiencing mental health difficulties is available in TikTok's Well-Being Guide.

Talk to a Professional

If you are considering harming yourself or if your eating disorder is causing serious health concerns (such as fainting or heart palpitations), please contact a healthcare provider, emergency services, or a helpline immediately.

If you are struggling with an eating disorder, or if you are concerned about the well-being of a friend or family member, consider reaching out to a trusted adult, contacting a local eating support group, or seeking professional help. Below are some resources that may help:

Learn more

Disclaimer

The content provided on this page is for informational purposes and educational use only. “The Eating Disorder Topic Page” should not be deemed a substitute for medical, psychological, or psychiatric diagnosis, treatment, or advice. Do not hesitate to seek professional medical support or immediate emergency assistance if you, or any other person, are in a crisis, danger, or experiencing a medical emergency. Please remember that you are not solely responsible for others' safety--you can get help.

This Safety Center was developed with expert consultation from the National Alliance for Eating Disorders.