Eating disorders
These pages offer lists of recommended resources on various themes, including books, websites, apps and more. They have been put together by members of the counselling service team: we hope they offer some useful suggestions. We have included a range of resources and, inevitably, you may find that some things are more helpful than others. Feedback is always welcome; the pages are updated on a regular basis.
A note on language: Sections are organised by theme to help you find your way to resources relevant to you. We recognise that there are many ways to describe and categorise mental health and emotional difficulties, identity and lived experience. As such, these themes are by no means definitive or exhaustive. We encourage you to explore the material here in order to find out what fits for you.
The University is not responsible for the content displayed on external links. We recommend that you seek advice from your GP if you have concerns about your mental health, or if you are experiencing a crisis please refer to our student help page for urgent support.
Read
Books
Anorexia Nervosa: a survival guide for families, friends and sufferers - Janet Treasure (Bodleian e:book available)
Getting Better Bit(e) by Bit(e)- Ulrike Schmidt and Janet Treasure (Bodleian e:book available)
Overcoming Binge Eating - Christopher Fairburn (Bodleian e:book available)
I Can’t Stop Eating - Sarah Dosanjh
Overcoming Bulimia Nervosa and Binge Eating - Peter Cooper (Bodleian e:book available)
The Beauty Myth: How Images of Beauty are Used Against Women - Naomi Wolf
Eating Disorders Don't Discriminate: stories of illness, hope and recovery from diverse voices - Dr Chukwuemeka Nwuba and Bailey Spinn (eds.)
Fat Is a Feminist Issue - Susie Orbach (Bodleian e:book available)
Understanding Your Eating: How to Eat and not Worry About It - Julia Buckroyd (Bodleian e:book available)
The Invisible Man: A Self-Help Guide For Men With Eating Disorders, Compulsive Exercise and Bigorexia - John Morgan (Bodleian e:book available)
Overcoming body image problems, including body dysmorphic disorder : a self-help guide using cognitive behavioral techniques - David Veale, Rob Willson and Alex Clarke
Overcoming anorexia nervosa : a self-help guide using Cognitive Behavioral Techniques – Chris Freeman (Bodleian e:book available)
The Opposite of Butterfly Hunting: A Memoir - Evanna Lynch
Websites
First Steps ED – ED charity commissioned by the NHS
Eating Disorder - Self-Help - Centre for Clinical Interventions
Adult Community Eating Disorder Service - Cotswold House (NHS)
Body Image Self-Help - First Steps
Watch
BBC Three - Ugly Me: My Life with Body Dysmorphia
Why Thinking Ugly Is Bad For You - Meaghan Ramsey
Listen
Our Mental Wellness Series organised by the Experimental Psychology Department at Oxford University
A series of talks and presentations developed by the Oxford University Counselling Service
BBC - The Eating Disorder Diaries Series
Learn
Workshops and Groups
- The Brain and Eating Disorders - FREED. (freedfromed.co.uk)
- Self Help for Eating Disorders - BEAT
- Eating Disorder Statistics - National Center For Eating Disorders
Togertherall Courses
- Managing Emotions
- Managing Anxiety
Apps
NHS App and your NHS account - NHS (www.nhs.uk)