Eating Disorders Awareness Week: Building community and challenging myths

23 Feb 26

This week marks Eating Disorders Awareness Week, with this year’s theme focusing on community – recognising the vital role that connection, understanding and support play in recovery.

Eating disorders are serious and complex mental health conditions. They can affect people of all ages, backgrounds and genders and often develop alongside other emotional or psychological challenges.

The main types of eating disorders include:

Anorexia nervosa
Bulimia nervosa
Atypical eating disorders, sometimes referred to as EDNOS (Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified). These include Binge Eating Disorder, Atypical Anorexia Nervosa and Atypical Bulimia Nervosa.

At HPFT, we provide specialist support for both adults and children living with eating disorders, working closely with individuals, families and carers as part of a wider community of care.

For Eating Disorders Awareness Week, members of our eating disorders teams have been using our Facebook and Instagram channels to tackle some of the most common myths about eating disorders. These myths can be harmful, often creating barriers to understanding, early help and recovery.

By challenging misconceptions and sharing information, our teams are helping to raise awareness, reduce stigma and remind people that no one has to face an eating disorder alone.

You can explore the myths our teams have been addressing by visiting our social media channels throughout the week – Facebook and Instagram.

If you require further information or support relating to eating disorders, please visit: https://www.hpft.nhs.uk/services/community-services/community-eating-disorders-service/useful-information-and-resources/

Related Pages

Eating Disorders Awareness Week: Building community and challenging myths