The three main eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder.

Anorexia nervosa sufferers refuse to eat enough to maintain a healthy body weight. It is most common in young girls and women. Some obvious signs that a colleague may be suffering with anorexia are: depression; low self-esteem; irritability and mood swings; and social isolation.

Some sufferers of bulimia nervosa maintain a normal body weight, which makes it difficult for others to know that anything is wrong. It is characterised by repeated episodes of binge eating. Some signs of this disorder include: being sick after meals; preoccupation with dieting; and abuse of laxatives.

People suffering from binge eating find themselves compulsively eating but they do not get rid of the food. In this case, body weight can fluctuate dramatically.

Helen MacWhite, communications officer with Bodywhys - The Eating Disorders Association of Ireland, says most people contact Bodywhys in relation to the three main eating disorders mentioned above, but most contacts from parents or friends relate to anorexia.

"This could be because bulimia and binge eating can remain invisible for a longer time, " she says.

MacWhite says there are signs to look out for such as changes in the person's personality and behaviour, social withdrawal and anything that might signal unhappiness.

"Work-related signs might appear in the form of difficulty focusing and concentrating, perfectionism or rigidity, inability to ask for help or difficulty making decisions, " she explains.

She says if you suspect an eating disorder, you will be in a better position to provide support if you first inform yourself about the condition and increase your own understanding of what the person might be experiencing. "Create an opportunity to talk to the person in a nonthreatening environment, " she says.

MacWhite says anecdotal evidence from people working in the area of eating disorders suggests they are on the increase. "It could also be that because of increased awareness, more people are presenting for treatment. Many health professionals report an increase in men presenting for treatment and more people are presenting at a younger age, " she says.

WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR

Workplace situations that may reveal an eating disorder: ? declaration or examination during health clearance at recruitment ? dif"culty in working as part of a team unless team roles are highly structured or autonomous ? problems coping with changes at work, particularly sudden changes of role ? mood swings and dif"culty with emotional control ? dif"culty in making decisions, asserting themselves or taking initiative ? dif"culty in getting to work on time or phases of absence from work for no obvious reason ? avoidance of social situations at work that involve food such as meal breaks and of"ce parties ? illness at work, which may include fainting or blackouts ? admission to hospital or repeated requests for time off work to attend hospital appointments.

Source: 'Eating Disorders in the Workplace', produced by the Eating Disorders Association in the UK