Eating Disorders: Myths vs Truths

by Lucy Routledge | Feb 24, 2026 | Uncategorized

Eating Disorders Awareness week is February 23^rd to 1^st March and we wanted to take this opportunity to explore eating disorders in some more depth. Whilst eating disorders are often talked about, they can also be widely misunderstood based on stereotypes in films, social media, and even in day to day conversations.

This can make it hard for people to recognise symptoms, ask for help, or support someone they care about. It’s important to break down some of the most common myths about eating disorders – and replace them with the truth!

We asked our associate Lucy to share some of her top tips.

Myth #1 Eating disorders are just about food

Truth: Eating disorders are not really about food at all. Food and weight may be the most visible part of an eating disorder, but underneath, they may be linked to things like:

• emotional regulation
• anxiety and depression
• trauma
• perfectionism
• low self-esteem
• a need for control

Behaviours around food often become a way to cope with overwhelming feelings, stress, or a sense of not being “enough.” See the Eating Disorders Iceberg, created by Dr Juliet Young, which highlights just how many other things may be going on for someone with an eating disorder.

Myth #2 People with eating disorders are thin

Truth: You cannot diagnose an eating disorder by appearance.

People with eating disorders come in all body shapes, sizes, genders, and backgrounds. Many people who struggle:

• are not underweight
• may look “healthy” to others
• may never experience visible weight changes

Some eating disorders, such as binge eating disorder or atypical anorexia, often go unnoticed because the person does not fit the stereotype. Assumptions such as this can be big barrier to someone seeking early help and recognising if someone around us is struggling.

Myth #3 Eating disorders are for teenage girls

Truth: Eating disorders affect people of all ages and genders.

While teenage girls are often highlighted in awareness campaigns, eating disorders also affect:

• boys and men
• nonbinary and transgender people
• children
• adults in their 30s, 40s, 50s, and beyond

Many adults develop eating disorders later in life – sometimes triggered by major life changes, illness, pregnancy, grief, or chronic stress. This myth makes many people feel invisible and less likely to seek help as they fear being dismissed.

Myth #4 Talking about eating disorders makes it worse

Truth: Responsible, compassionate conversations can actually save lives.

Silence and shame allow eating disorders to grow. When conversations are handled carefully – without graphic details, competition, or glorifying weight loss – they can:

• help people recognize symptoms in themselves
• reduce isolation
• encourage speaking out and early support
• remind people they are not alone

The real risk is not talking about eating disorders at all.

Myth #5 Families and friends cause eating disorders

Truth: Eating disorders are complex and rarely caused by one thing.

There is no single cause of an eating disorder.
Most develop through a mix of:

• biological vulnerability
• personality traits
• social and cultural pressures
• life stressors
• mental health conditions

Blaming families or loved ones oversimplifies a very complicated reality and can damage relationships that are often crucial for recovery.

So how can I help someone with an eating disorder?

While every person’s recovery looks different, some of the most helpful elements include:

• try not to judge. Ask them what would help, like meeting up socially without food involvement (meet for a walk instead of dinner and drinks)
• encourage them to access mental health support specific to eating disorders
• have a GP check up
• be patient and support the person to offload stress and build healthy coping mechanisms
• learning skills to manage emotions and stress without using food or control

A final thought…

Eating disorders thrive in secrecy, shame, and misunderstanding. When we replace myths with accurate, person-centered information, we make it easier for people to recognise their struggles – and easier for others to respond with empathy instead of judgment.

If you or someone you care about is struggling with food, body image, or eating behaviors, you don’t need to wait for things to become extreme. Support, understanding, and recovery are possible and they are always worth aiming for. At Wellbeing Therapy Solutions we can provide you with a compassionate, non-judgmental space to help you build healthy coping mechanisms and offload your stress.

Get in touch today.

For further information on all things Eating Disorders visit https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/

Back-to-School Anxiety Advice for Parents

by Lucy Routledge | Aug 25, 2025 | Uncategorized

The start of a new school year can bring lots of emotions in children and while many young people may feel excited and enthusiastic for the change, others may be feeling overwhelmed and anxious. A new classroom, new class teacher and new unfamiliar routines can be a lot for children and young people to manage and it is natural that as a parent you want to support your child in the best possible way.

Here are a few simple ways you can help your child during this time:

1. Acknowledge Their Feelings
Let your child know that it’s normal to feel nervous. Encourage them to talk about what worries them, and listen without judgment. Sometimes just being heard can reduce anxious feelings.

2. Establish a Predictable Routine
Start adjusting sleep and morning routines before school begins. Predictability helps children feel safe and in control. A pictorial schedule may also be helpful for children who have a preference for visual information.

3. Focus on the Positives
Talk about what they might look forward to, for example, seeing friends, learning more about their favourite subject or joining an after-school club. Help them to think of a few enjoyable things about school to shift the focus from wholly negative.

4. Do a Practice Run
If possible, walk or drive past the school, visit the playground, or rehearse the drop-off. This familiarity will help to reduce your child’s anxiety and make their first day less intimidating.

5. Teach Calming Strategies
Introduce simple breathing exercises or grounding activities they can use when they feel nervous. A few slow, deep breaths can make a big difference. A favourite of ours is the 54321 grounding exercise where children are asked to identify 5 things they can see, 4 things they can touch, 3 things they can hear, 2 things they can smell and 1 thing they can taste. Connecting with their senses in this way helps a child to come back into the present when they are feeling overwhelmed with thoughts in their head.

6. Stay Calm Yourself
Children pick up on our emotions. Therefore, if you remain calm and confident, they’re more likely to feel the same. It’s good to have open conversations with children from a young age about different emotions and role modelling self-care is a great way to get young people into the habit of communicating how they are feeling and finding what helps them to feel regulated and settled.

Back-to-school anxiety is common and with support and reassurance, most children are able to manage the transition and settle in after the first few days. By being present, empathetic and proactive, parents can help make the transition smoother and even exciting!

Entertaining Kids Over the Summer Holidays – having fun on a budget!

by Lucy Routledge | Jul 16, 2025 | Uncategorized

Summer holidays are a time for fun, sunshine, rest, and making memories but it can definitely be a challenge keeping kids entertained for weeks – especially on a tight budget. The good news is that you don’t need to spend a fortune to have a summer full of laughter and adventure. Here are a few low-cost (or no-cost) activity ideas to keep the kids busy and happy all summer long!

DIY Garden Fun
Turn your garden into a mini adventure zone with water balloon games, homemade obstacle courses, scavenger hunts, or even a night camping under the stars in the garden with sleeping bags

Get Creative
Stock up on supplies like paper, glue, and recycled materials for kids to make their own puppets, paint rocks, or even create greeting cards for family and friends

Explore Nature
Take advantage of nearby trails or nature reserves and make a checklist of things to find such as feathers, flowers, leaves or interesting shaped rocks to look out for. There could even be a prize for who finds the most!

Movie Days
Have an at home movie day where you choose a film, buy all your favourite snacks and curl up on the sofa together as a family. Go one step further and spend time making homemade cinema tickets or film posters

Local Library Adventures
Most libraries run free summer reading programs, craft days, or storytelling sessions. It’s also worth checking any local facebook pages for other events happening near you!

While days out and going on trips can be great fun, the summer holidays don’t have to be expensive and with a little imagination anything can be turned into a fun adventure!