The Christmas period can be particularly challenging for those affected by eating disorders. The build up to the season, changes in routine, expectations around socialising and food can contribute to stress, pressure and conflicted thoughts and feelings.   Click here to read our tips on coping with an eating disorder during Christmas. Support services Dublin […]

The Second Irish National Eating Disorders Conference has been confirmed for Friday, February 24th. Where: Art Deco Trinity Gas Building, 24 D’Olier Street, Dublin 2 Time: From 09:30am to 16:30pm. Keynote Speakers Prof. J. Hubert Lacey, , Professor Emeritus, St. George’s Hospital, University of London. Prof. Lacey will speak on ‘Severe and Enduring Anorexia Nervosa’. In […]

Bodywhys is supporting Overshadowed written by Eva O’ Connor (Sunday’s Child Theatre). It tells the story of Imogene, a young woman who develops an eating disorder and the subsequent impact on her school life, family and relationships. The play is approximately 60 minutes long. Click here to watch a trailer. Venues and dates: November update: […]

Are you supporting a family member with an eating disorder in the Dublin region? Bodywhys and St. Vincent’s University Hospital invite you to attend a free 4 week evening programme for families and friends. When: Commencing on Thursday, 3rd November, 2016. From 7:30pm-9:30pm. Where: Nurse Education Centre, St. Vincent’s University Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin 4. Booking: […]

Are you supporting a family member with an eating disorder in the Roscommon/Galway region? Bodywhys and HSE CAMHS Roscommon invite you to attend a free 4 week evening programme for families and friends. When: Commencing on Thursday, 6th October, 2016. From 6pm-8pm. Where: Meeting Room One, Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway. Booking: Places are limited. Attendance […]

Annual Report 2015 PDF Bodywhys: The Eating Disorders Association of Ireland can report in 2015 there was:   A 48% overall increase in support emails A 19% increase in attendance at face-to-face support groups Compared to 2014, in 2015 there was 19% increase email contacts from those aged 36-55 and a 9% increase in helpline […]

This study will examine whether abrupt shifts of scheme modes can be linked to eating disorder behaviors, by using an “in the moment” real-time reporting system known as “ecological momentary assessment” (EMA). Who can take part?– Adults experiencing eating disorder symptoms.– An iOS/Android smartphone to install a free app “Metricwire”. How can you take part?1.   […]

Face-to-face support groups (18+) for August 2016 are as follows:     Dublin City: Wednesday, August 3rd & Wednesday, August 17th (One group for people with eating disorders, and another for family and friends, on both dates) – 7:30pm Groups are free to attend, registration is not required. Further information about the groups can be […]

Are you supporting a family member with an eating disorder in the Cork region? Bodywhys and Cork Mental Health Services invite you to attend a free 4 week programme for families and friends. When and Where: Commencing on Thursday, 8th September, 2016. 6pm-8pm. Ravenscourt Day Hospital, St. Finbarr’s Campus, Douglas Road, Cork (opposite Blood Donor […]

Researchers are trying to determine whether there is a link between genetics and eating disorders. If you have had experience of an Anorexia Nervosa, are aged 12 and up, please contact Dr. Sara McDevitt, 083 8507717 or by email gedi.ireland@gmail.com Participation involves completing postal questionnaires and providing a saliva for genetic analysis. This project is […]

Face-to-face support groups (18+) for June 2016 are as follows:     Dublin City: Wednesday, June 1st & Wednesday, June 15th (One group for people with eating disorders, and another for family and friends, on both dates) – 7:30pm Groups are free to attend, registration is not required. Further information about the groups can be […]

Are you aged 16-25? Have you used an online group for those living with an eating disorder? Click here to take part in a research survey Research Study **NOW CLOSED – October 2017** Researchers from Nottingham Trent University are currently working on a project titled “Supporting eating disorder recovery in young people”. The study is […]

Are you aged 20+ and a good listener? Bodywhys is recruiting volunteers for its support services: helpline volunteers, support groups facilitators, online support group facilitators and email support volunteers. If you’re interested in volunteering, please download an application form and return it to info@bodywhys.ie

Face-to-face support groups (18+) for May 2016 are as follows:     Dublin City: Wednesday, May 4th & Wednesday, May 18th (One group for people with eating disorders, and another for family and friends, on both dates) – 7:30pm Dublin: Wednesday, May 4th (TCD Students only). Note, this group starts at 6pm. Groups are free […]

On April 18th, there is a free talking on recovery from eating disorders in Saint John of God Hospital, Stillorgan, Co. Dublin. Speakers: Jane O’ Riordan, Senior Occupational Therapist and Una Bennett, Staff Nurse The event takes place from 8-9:30pm

April 2016 Orthorexia is a newly proposed eating disorder that involves obsession with a “clean” or “pure” diet. Currently, orthorexia is not listed as an official eating disorder, but many clinicians are seeing it in their offices. Research in this area is ongoing, and Lynn McGovern, MSc Applied Psychology student in Trinity College Dublin, would […]

Jennifer Barry, MSc Applied Psychology student in Trinity College Dublin, is conducting a qualitative study to explore the impact of an eating disorder diagnosis on one’s sense of self.     Are you aged 18 or over?Have you received a formal diagnosis of an eating disorder?Do you identify as being recovered from an eating disorder? […]

Face-to-face support groups (18+) for April 2016 are as follows:     Dublin City: Wednesday, 6th April & Wednesday, 20th April (One group for people with eating disorders, and another for family and friends, on both dates) – 7:30pm Dublin: Wednesday, 6th April (TCD Students only). Note, this group starts at 6pm. Groups are free […]

Thank you to all who attended the Irish National Eating Disorders Conference on February 27th. Please find below the presentations. Gerard Butcher, Conference Organiser Welcome and Opening Remarks Keynote Address: Professor Donal O’Shea, Consultant Endocrinologist, St Vincent’s University Hospital, Dublin. The Vicious Cycle of Obesity and Immune Dysfunction Keynote Address: Professor Megan Jones, Clinical Assistant […]

An Information Evening for: Parents & Carers who Support a Loved One with an Eating Disorder Presenter: Harriet Parsons (Service Manager, Bodywhys-National Association for Eating Disorders) in Association with Cork HSE Mental Health Services and the National Clinical Programme. Venue: South Lee Adult Mental Health Services, Ravenscourt, St Finbarr’s Hospital, Douglas Road Cork. Date: Monday […]

          #edconf16 Saturday, February 27th, 2016 Keynote Speakers: Prof. Megan Jones, Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Stanford University, California Topic ‘New Technologies in the Prevention and Treatment of Eating Disorders’ Prof. Donal O’Shea, Consultant Endocrinologist, St Vincent’s University Hospital, Dublin. When and Where: 09:30-16:30 (registration is from 9am) St. Patrick’s University […]

An open evening for young people and families affected by eating disorders. On the evening, Prof. Fiona McNicholas will be joined by a panel of guests including Dr. Cliodhna O’Connor, Dr. Lesley O’Hara, Harriet Parsons and Ivan Sisk who will share their experiences and perspectives on eating disorders. The evening will also be of interest […]

Róisín O’Dwyer is an MSc in Applied Psychology student completing a dissertation on eating disorders. The aim of this research is to explore the individual experience of mothers taking care of a teenager with anorexia nervosa. If you agree to take part you will be asked to complete a short questionnaire, and then will be […]

Stephanie McAlinden, a PhD student in Queen’s University Belfast, is conducting a research project looking at the type of stigma and discrimination that people with eating disorders face as a result of their illness. This study will involve a one-on-one interview that will last roughly forty minutes to an hour. Interviews can be done in […]