Managing difficult behaviours

Eating disorders are associated with many difficult symptoms and behaviours. Priority, however, must be given to the need to attain better nutritional health. For most sufferers, this means eating more, or allowing the food to be absorbed by reducing vomiting and/or laxative use. Although some other behaviours – unpredictable rages, disruptive rituals or anxiety-driven disputes – may have a significant impact on others, they are not a danger to life and therefore have a lesser priority than ensuring adequate nourishment.