Depression EXPLAINED

Depression and Eating Disorders

Depression can deeply affect the way we think and feel about ourselves, and can also have a significant impact on the way we eat.  At The London Centre, we provide compassionate, evidence-based care to help you address the symptoms and causes of low mood and depression.

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Depression EXPLAINED

Understanding Depression and Its Connection to Eating Disorders

Depression is a common and treatable mental health condition that affects mood, motivation, energy levels, and self-worth. Depressive experiences can take many forms, including major depressive disorder, dysthymia (persistent depressive disorder), premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), and bipolar disorder. These conditions often involve prolonged sadness, emotional numbness, low motivation, or a heavy sense of hopelessness.

Depression and eating disorders frequently occur together. For some people, depression develops after an eating disorder emerges, as the emotional and physical strain of restriction, bingeing, purging, or body dissatisfaction begins to impact mood. For others, depression is present first and contributes to patterns of disordered eating as a way to cope with self-criticism, distress, or feelings of being out of control.

Because eating disorders and depression can reinforce one another, treating them together is essential. With integrated, multidisciplinary care, both conditions can be understood and supported safely and compassionately.

OCD EXPLAINED

How Depression Affects Body Image and Self-Perception

Depression can significantly distort how people view themselves. When mood is low, it becomes harder to think flexibly or compassionately, and small concerns about appearance may begin to feel overwhelming or consuming. Feelings of shame or withdrawal can build, particularly when someone is already struggling with body image or the physical effects of an eating disorder.

BDD and depression often appear together, creating a cycle in which intrusive worries about appearance increase low mood, and low mood heightens the intensity of body-focused thoughts. This can leave individuals feeling stuck, isolated, or unsure how to break free.

Therapy helps to gently challenge these negative narratives, rebuild self-esteem, and support a more balanced and compassionate understanding of oneself.

How We Support you

Common signs of Depression in Eating Disorders

Depression can show up in many different ways and may be difficult to recognise when eating difficulties or body image concerns are also present. If you recognise these signs in yourself or someone you care about, reaching out for support can make a meaningful difference.
Common signs include:


  • Persistent sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness
  • Loss of interest in food, social life, or daily activities
  • Feeling guilt or shame around eating or body image
  • Fatigue, sleep problems, or low energy
  • Withdrawal from friends or family
  • Difficulty concentrating or making decisions

How Depression and Eating Disorders Interact

Depression and eating disorders influence each other in a number of reinforcing ways:

  • Low mood reduces motivation, making it harder to meal plan, eat regularly, or challenge eating disorder rules.
  • Self-criticism and feelings of worthlessness can increase reliance on disordered eating behaviours for a sense of control or relief.
  • Changes in appetite and sleep caused by depression can mask or intensify eating difficulties.
  • Malnutrition and irregular eating can lower mood further, reduce emotional resilience, and intensify depressive symptoms.
  • Hopelessness or emotional numbness may make recovery feel out of reach, delaying help-seeking or reducing engagement in treatment.

Understanding this two-way interaction allows us to treat both conditions together, supporting meaningful and sustained recovery.

How The London Centre
Treats Depression in Eating Disorders

The London Centre offers integrated, expert-led treatment that addresses both the emotional and behavioural components of depression and eating disorders. Our approach is warm, confidential, and tailored to each individual’s needs. Treatment supports clients to understand their thoughts and feelings, regulate their emotions, and build confidence in managing daily challenges.

Our multidisciplinary team includes psychologists, psychotherapists, dietitians, occupational therapists, and consultant psychiatrists who work collaboratively to ensure you receive cohesive, specialist care. We focus on helping clients rebuild stability in their eating patterns, improve mood regulation, and reconnect with the parts of life that feel meaningful and fulfilling

Personalised Care

Therapies and Medication Used to Treat Depression and Related Conditions

Therapy plays a central role in managing low mood, strengthening emotional resilience, and supporting healthier coping strategies. At The London Centre, we offer a range of evidence-based approaches that are matched to each person’s needs, symptoms, and stage of recovery.
Therapies offered include:

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
  • Behavioural Activation (BA)
  • Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT)
  • Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT)
  • MANTRA Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
  • EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing)

These therapies help clients understand the link between thoughts, feelings, and behaviours; develop self-compassion; regulate emotions more effectively; and make sustainable changes in their relationship with food, mood, and daily life.

OCD EXPLAINED

The Role of Medication in Treating Depression Depression

Medication can also play an important part in improving depressive symptoms, especially when mood is significantly impacting functioning or making therapy harder to engage with. Stabilising mood can help make the therapeutic process more accessible, allowing clients to benefit more fully from psychological intervention.

There are several types of antidepressant medications available, and our Consultant Psychiatrist will talk you through the full range of options, helping you understand how each one works and what might be most suitable for your individual circumstances. If medication is recommended, we can either prescribe it directly or liaise with your NHS GP to do so.

Follow-up appointments are offered to review how the medication is working for you. Unlike many clinics, we are able to offer these reviews in a short, cost-effective 15-minute telephone appointment, ensuring you receive monitoring without unnecessary expense. Because antidepressants often take time to reach their full effect, there may be a period of dose adjustment or ongoing monitoring. If a particular medication isn’t helping, either because of side effects or limited improvement, we will help you explore alternative options so you can find the most effective and tolerable treatment.

Medication, when combined with evidence-based therapy, often provides a strong foundation for emotional stability and long-term recovery.

The Benefits of Treating Depression and Eating Disorders Together

  • Improved mood and emotional regulation
  • Reduced guilt, shame, and self-criticism
  • Greater self-acceptance and confidence
  • Strengthened communication and relationships
  • Healthier eating routines and relationship with food
  • Enhanced long-term emotional resilience
A Place of Specialist Support

When to Seek Professional Help for Depression

If you have been experiencing sadness, low motivation, exhaustion, or emotional numbness for more than two weeks, it may be time to seek support. Depression commonly accompanies eating disorders and BDD, and receiving early, integrated help can significantly improve recovery outcomes.
At The London Centre, we offer flexible and confidential appointments, ensuring you can begin treatment safely and at a pace that feels manageable. Recovery is absolutely possible, and no one is expected to face these difficulties alone.

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Take the First Step
Towards Recovery

You deserve support, understanding, and the chance to feel well again. With the right care, it is possible to reduce depressive symptoms, improve emotional balance, and move towards a healthier relationship with food and your body. If you’re ready to talk, our clinical team is here to help.

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FAQs

FAQs About Depression and Eating Disorders

Depression can affect motivation, energy, and confidence, making it harder to engage with treatment or challenge eating disorder behaviours. Our integrated approach supports both mood and eating patterns together so clients feel more able to make progress.

Medication can be helpful for some individuals, particularly when depressive symptoms are significantly affecting daily functioning. Our Consultant Psychiatrist provides careful, personalised assessment and works closely with the wider team to ensure treatment feels supportive and coordinated.

Yes. Many therapies are effective in reducing low mood while also improving body image, self-esteem, and emotional resilience. Our clinicians work gently and collaboratively to help clients develop a kinder and more balanced relationship with themselves.

We offer both online and in-person sessions, making treatment flexible and accessible. Many clients find online support helpful, especially when mood or energy levels fluctuate.

Treatment length varies depending on individual needs, goals, and the severity of both conditions. Some people benefit from a structured short-term intervention, while others require longer-term support. Your clinician will help create a plan that feels realistic and effective.

Yes. Family therapy can help loved ones understand depression and eating disorders, improve communication, and create a supportive home environment. Families often feel more confident and connected when involved appropriately in treatment.