People can be diagnosed with a host of different eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia, nervosa or binge eating, but there is treatment for all of them and people can and do make full recoveries.
However, Christmas can be daunting as it disrupts your regular routines, meals and habits, with more social and food-orientated events. "Christmas has a huge focus on food: there can be pressure to eat large amounts at gatherings, and there is often more food than usual in the house," says Beat's helpline manager Emma Jamieson.
"Conversely, people often talk more about dieting or compensating for eating more food in the New Year. This can cause extra stress and anxiety for people with eating disorders."
Spend some time ahead of the holidays planning out where you'll be to feel prepared for the days you're out and about or socialising so it feels less overwhelming on the day. "Try and sit down with someone you're spending the season with and discussing your plans over Christmas, particularly when and how food will be involved," Jamieson says.
"Ask a loved one to steer the conversation away from dieting, anyone's weight, appearance, exercise or food intake," Jamieson adds. They can pre-warn well-meaning visitors not to comment as well as even praise can be upsetting, for instance 'you look really well'.
Over Christmas there's so many ways to make mealtimes more interesting whether it's having music on in the background, cracker games to hand or a colouring to do, all of which Jamieson says can "help take the focus away from food." She adds: "After meals, it's a good idea to clear food away, move away from the table if possible and find activities that focus on something else."
As many Christmas traditions and activities involve food, try to make time for others too such as visiting Christmas lights, going to a carol service, taking young family members to see Santa or watching festive films together.
Christmas is a stressful and unpredictable time, Jameison encourages anyone who is recovering from an eating disorder to not feel bad if they need space. "Take yourself to a quiet room for periods of time - it can be a particularly hectic and stressful time and you may need to recharge," she suggests.
If you are struggling over the festive period, charities such as Beat are operational on Christmas Day so there is always someone to check in with or reach out to if things get difficult. Jamieson recommends having a list of helplines if you need them and a trusted loved one who you can lean on if things get difficult.