I’m Worried About My Relationship With Food, Could I Have an Eating Disorder

You do not need to know the name of an eating disorder before asking for help.

You may simply have noticed that food is taking up far more space in your mind than it used to. Meals may create anxiety. You might avoid eating with other people, feel guilty after eating, become preoccupied with your body or find that rules around food are becoming harder to break.

These experiences do not prove that you have an eating disorder. They are, however, good reasons to speak to a healthcare professional rather than waiting until you believe you look unwell enough.

Eating disorders are not identified by appearance alone

NICE says professionals should consider a range of signs when deciding whether somebody may have an eating disorder. These include changes in eating behaviour, restrictive eating, social withdrawal around food, disproportionate concern about weight or shape, mental-health difficulties and physical symptoms.

NICE also specifically says that a single measure such as BMI should not be used to decide whether somebody should receive treatment.

You can therefore need help at many different body sizes.

Notice how much control food has acquired

Ask what has changed in everyday life.

Do you plan your day around eating or avoiding food? Are meals with friends becoming difficult? Do you repeatedly check your body? Does eating something unexpected create disproportionate distress? Are food rules becoming stricter?

The question is not whether somebody else would consider your behaviour extreme. It is whether food, weight or body concerns are increasingly controlling your choices and wellbeing.

Physical changes matter too

Eating disorders can affect physical health.

NICE advises professionals to consider symptoms such as dizziness, fainting, palpitations, poor circulation and other signs that nutrition or eating-related behaviours may be affecting the body.

Tell your GP about physical symptoms as well as thoughts and feelings. Do not assume they are unrelated.

You do not have to wait for certainty

A GP can assess your physical and mental health and discuss whether specialist eating-disorder assessment is appropriate.

NICE recommends referral to an age-appropriate eating-disorder service if an eating disorder is suspected following initial assessment.

Early assessment matters. You are not wasting anybody’s time by raising a concern that turns out to have another explanation.

What to tell your GP

You can use ordinary language.

Try: “My relationship with food has changed and I’m worried about it.”

Explain what you are doing, what you are thinking about, what has changed, any physical symptoms and how it affects work, school, relationships or social life.

You do not need to arrive with a diagnosis.

Last reviewed

6 September 2026

Important informationThis guide provides general information only and is not a diagnosis or a substitute for professional medical or eating-disorder advice. Eating disorders can affect physical as well as mental health, and appearance or body weight alone does not show how unwell somebody may be. If you are worried about your eating, food-related behaviours, body image or physical health, speak to your GP or another appropriately qualified healthcare professional. If an eating disorder is suspected, specialist assessment should be arranged as early as possible.