Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are serious mental health conditions which can affect the mental and physical health of a student. They manifest themselves as an eating disorder in which the sufferer tries to keep their body weight as low as possible. The conditions, which more usually affects females, often arises out of an anxiety about body shape, a fear of being fat or a desire to be thin. Anorexia sufferers normally try to restrict their weight by restricting the amount of food that they consume, exercising excessively or making themselves vomit after eating. Bulimia sufferers try to control their weight by restricting the amount food they eat and engage in binge eating then purging the food from their bodies through vomiting or the use of laxatives. The conditions often first develop between the ages of 16-20, so young female students can be particularly at risk.
Eating disorders are often associated with other problems such as depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, alcohol misuse and self-harm. The following may be signs that a student is suffering from an eating disorder, but be aware that sufferers often go to great lengths to hide their behaviour:
- Regular changes in weight;
- Obsessive attitude towards food – maybe noticeable in seminars if food is available;
- Isolation;
- Scarred knuckles (from forcing fingers down their throats to bring on vomiting);
- Depression and anxiety.
If you believe that one of your students is suffering from an eating disorder and that their safety is at risk, you should speak to the student as soon as possible after being made aware of this. If you feel comfortable, then try to gather information from the student about how long this has been happening for and whether anybody else is aware of this issue. Remember that the student will be feeling nervous, scared, and ashamed. Sufferers often don’t recognise they have a problem, which may cause them to react defensively. Handle the situation with care and respect and remain calm. The student would benefit from professional intervention, so you should seek their permission to make a referral to the Wellbeing team.