Children and Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are one of the main reasons why children and young people are referred to "Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services" (CAMHS).
Common eating disorders include anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa which are both characterised by a pre-occupation with body weight and weight loss accompanies by a disturbed body image. People with anorexia find eating very distressing and will develop ways of avoiding food. A person with bulimia may binge eat followed by a need to “purge” themselves of food by vomiting or using laxatives. For more information about eating disorder read our section Eating Disorders
Treatment
Treatment mainly includes therapy such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or group work. For more information on how to access treatment for a child or young person with mental health problems read our factsheet Childhood mental illness (663 kb) ![[pdf]](http://www.rethink.org/display_images/document_icons/pdf.gif){kind=icon}
When the condition becomes very serious and has resulted in a dangerously low body weight a person may need to be admitted to hospital to stabilise their weight. If you know someone who needs to go to hospital urgently for an eating disorder it might help to read our Getting help in a crisis factsheet (454 kb)
