Eating Disorders and Coronavirus

Coronavirus is understandably causing a lot of stress and anxiety, and we know that things may feel very uncertain right now. If you have an eating disorder, or are supporting someone who does, you might have specific worries or practical concerns to do with the illness or treatment. We’ve listened to the issues you’ve raised and, with the help of eating disorder clinicians, put together the guidance below to try to respond to the most common ones. Carers can find out more about supporting someone during the current situation here.

We also want to reassure you that our support services will continue to be here for you during this time, including putting extra provisions in place, such as our new online group open during helpline hours for anyone with an eating disorder. Our Helpline team is set up for home working so please do continue to get in touch with us as usual and we’ll do our best to give you the support you deserve. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank our supporters who are fundraising and donating which has meant we are able to continue providing our services at this time.

The Sanctuary

Set up in response to the coronavirus, Sanctuary is an online chat room open throughout normal helpline hours.

Your Health and Treatment

People with eating disorders don’t necessarily have lower immunity but, per Government guidance, you should limit your contact with other people anyway.

Emergency Appeal

The coronavirus pandemic is the toughest challenge Beat has ever faced. Demand for our Helpline services has soared and we’re doing everything we can to keep up. We need your support now more than ever so we can be here for people affected by eating disorders.

GIVE NOW

Food, Exercise and Shopping

It has become easier to get hold of many foods in the last few weeks, but some things could still be difficult to find. It’s understandable to have concerns about this, but there are things that you can do.

Routine and Socialising

The effects of being isolated from others are really understandable worries for everyone, and could be especially challenging if this is something that triggers your eating disorder.

Body Image Concerns and Social Media

Some people with eating disorders may be anxious about whether their body has changed during lockdown.

Recovery and Setbacks

The pandemic and lockdown has been an incredibly challenging time. We know that it is important to try to focus on the positives of a situation or event.

Coping with Change and Anxiety

The coronavirus pandemic is an unprecedented event and changed our lives. As restrictions lift, some things may look different to how they did before the lockdown, and this can cause worry and anxiety.

Difficult Emotions

During times of social distancing, you may find yourself ‘sitting with your emotions’ more often, and may have not have access to tools that might have distracted from uncomfortable feelings.

BLAST Advice

You may find it useful to use the BLAST technique. Think about what kind of things help you to feel better when you’re Bored, Lonely, Angry, Stressed or Tired.

Supporting Someone

This page was created to give those caring for someone with an eating disorder guidance on supporting the person during the coronavirus crisis.

Public Health Advice

What does health look like? How do we interpret and apply public health campaigns to our own health?

Stories and News

Your Stories About Coronavirus

Read the experiences of those affected by Coronavirus and the impact it's had on them

Coronavirus News

Read the latest news on Coronavirus and its impact on Beat and our support services.

Page last updated: 12/08/2020

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