The term 'eating disorder' covers conditions such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating.

These disorders generally develop over time, sometimes over years, and often at a point when life brings fear and insecurity.

The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued guidance to the NHS on eating disorders. Although chiefly intended for people with eating disorders, the information may also be helpful for family members and those who care for people with eating disorders.

The guidelines aim to improve the care and treatment provided in the health service and look at different areas of diagnosis, treatment, care and self-help.

The NICE guidelines contain information on the following topics:

• caring for someone with an eating disorder.
• what you can expect from the NHS if you have an eating disorder.
• support and treatment if you have anorexia nervosa.
• support and treatment if you have bulimia nervosa.
• support and treatment if you another type of eating disorder, such as binge-eating disorder.

For more information, download NICE guidelines on eating disorders (PDF, 142kb) (links to external site).