Preoccupation with food
Constant thoughts about eating, weight, calories or body shape.
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Eating disorders · Bangladesh
Eating Disorder Counselling in Bangladesh
A difficult relationship with food, weight or your body — restricting, bingeing, purging or obsessive control — is more than about eating, and it is treatable. Work with a licensed psychologist online nationwide, or in person in Dhaka.
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In plain language: Eating disorders are serious mental-health conditions, not vanity or a phase. They are usually a way of coping with painful emotions through control over food and body. Recovery is possible with the right support — and earlier help makes it easier.
The basics
What are eating disorders?
Eating disorders are conditions in which thoughts and behaviours around food, weight and body shape become distressing and harmful.
Common types include anorexia (restricting food, intense fear of weight gain), bulimia (cycles of bingeing and purging), and binge eating disorder (recurrent binges with loss of control). They are rarely really about food — underneath is usually anxiety, low self-worth, trauma, perfectionism or a need for control. In Bangladesh, growing appearance pressure and social-media comparison are fuelling disordered eating, especially among young people, while it often stays hidden. Eating disorders have serious physical risks, so support matters — and with the right help, full recovery is genuinely possible.
How eating difficulties keep going
The restrict and binge cycle
Strict food rules leave the body and mind hungry, which makes losing control more likely. Guilt then leads to even stricter rules, and the cycle repeats.
- Rules drive the cycleRigid dieting is often the starting point, not a lack of willpower.
- Regular eating firstCBT for eating disorders starts with regular, adequate meals to calm the hunger and cravings.
- Not every pattern looks like thisIn anorexia, restriction can take over without bingeing. A psychologist will assess what fits you.
Based on the cognitive behavioural model of eating disorders (CBT-E). Illustration.
How it shows up
Signs of an eating disorder
Restriction
Skipping meals, strict rules, or intense fear of weight gain.
Binge & purge
Eating large amounts with loss of control, or purging afterward.
Body-image distress
Harsh, distorted views of your own body.
Secrecy & ritual
Hiding eating, rituals around food, or avoiding eating with others.
Physical signs
Weight changes, tiredness, dizziness or other health effects.
Eating disorders are often missed in Bangladesh, where comments about weight and pressure to eat less, or more, are part of everyday family life. They affect boys and men as well as girls and women. It is worth reaching out early: when thoughts about food, weight or body shape take up much of your day, when eating feels out of control, or when you hide how much or how little you eat. Because eating disorders can affect the heart and body, a medical check-up alongside therapy is a sensible first step.
See psychologists who help with eating disorders →Getting better
How eating disorders are treated
Recovery focuses on both the relationship with food and what lies beneath it.
CBT (including CBT-E, designed for eating disorders) is the leading psychological treatment — it addresses the thoughts, rules and behaviours around food and body, and the emotions driving them. Family-based approaches are especially important for younger people. Because eating disorders have medical risks, care may involve a doctor or psychiatrist and, where needed, a dietitian — we can help coordinate. Sessions are private and shame-free. The earlier support begins, the smoother recovery tends to be.
What to expect
What recovery looks like
A safe start
A private, non-judgemental space to be honest.
Steady the eating
Rebuilding a regular, less fearful relationship with food.
Address the roots
Working on the emotions, control and self-worth underneath.
Reclaim life
Freedom from food rules and a kinder view of your body.
In a crisis, call 999
Eating disorders can cause medical emergencies. If there is collapse, chest pain, severe weakness, or thoughts of self-harm, call 999 or go to the nearest hospital immediately.
Fees
What counselling costs
৳1,000–৳4,500per private session
Fees depend on the psychologist’s seniority. Student sessions are ৳1,000, and the exact fee is shown on each profile before you book — no hidden charges.
Who can help
Psychologists who help with eating disorders
Those who list experience with eating disorders are shown first. Every Chum psychologist can assess what you need and refer you on if a specialist fits better. Not sure who to choose? We will match you.
Shaheen Nafisa Siddique
Senior Clinical Psychologist
Speaks Bangla, English
29+ yearsFrom ৳4,500
Book a session
Tamima Tanjin
Senior Clinical Psychologist
Speaks Bangla
BCPS-verified22+ yearsFrom ৳3,500
Book a session
Salma Parveen
Clinical Psychologist
Speaks Bangla, English
BCPS-verified21+ yearsFrom ৳4,500
Book a session
Hazera Khatun
Senior Clinical Psychologist
Speaks Bangla, English
BCPS-verified20+ yearsFrom ৳3,500
Book a session
Dr. Tarun Kanti Gayen
Clinical Psychologist
Speaks Bangla, English
BCPS-verified20+ yearsFrom ৳4,500
Book a session
Ishrat Shermin Rahman
Clinical Psychologist
Speaks Bangla, English
BCPS-verified18+ yearsFrom ৳4,000
Book a session
Samsun Nahar
Assistant Clinical Psychologist
Speaks Bangla
BCPS-verified17+ yearsFrom ৳2,200
Book a session
বাংলায়
ইটিং ডিসঅর্ডার
খাবার, ওজন বা শরীর নিয়ে কষ্টদায়ক সম্পর্ক — খাওয়া কমিয়ে দেওয়া, অতিরিক্ত খেয়ে ফেলা, বা শরীর নিয়ে অস্বাস্থ্যকর নিয়ন্ত্রণ — এগুলো শুধু খাওয়ার বিষয় নয়, গুরুতর মানসিক স্বাস্থ্য সমস্যা। এটি চিকিৎসাযোগ্য, আর যত আগে সাহায্য নেওয়া যায় তত ভালো। চাম ওয়েলনেসে বাংলা বা ইংরেজিতে অনলাইন কাউন্সেলিং নেওয়া যায় সারা বাংলাদেশ থেকে।
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Are eating disorders about vanity?
No. They are serious mental-health conditions, usually a way of coping with painful emotions through control over food and body — not vanity or a phase.
Can you recover fully from an eating disorder?
Yes. Full recovery is possible, especially with earlier support. Therapy such as CBT-E is highly effective, and care can be coordinated with medical support when needed.
Do you only treat anorexia?
No. Support covers anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder and other difficult relationships with food and body image.
Is medical care needed too?
Sometimes. Because eating disorders carry physical risks, care may involve a doctor, psychiatrist or dietitian alongside therapy — we can help coordinate this.
Is counselling available in Bangla and online?
Yes. Many Chum psychologists work in Bangla or English, online from anywhere in Bangladesh, with in-person sessions in Dhaka.
How much does it cost?
Private sessions usually cost about ৳1,000–৳4,500 depending on seniority, and student sessions are ৳1,000. The exact fee is shown before you book.
Read more
Related articles & guides
Practical, Bangladesh-specific reading from the Chum blog on this topic.
PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder): More Than Bad PMSRead article →Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia): Signs and HelpRead article →BPD vs Bipolar Disorder: Key Differences ExplainedRead article →Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Symptoms & TreatmentRead article →Behavioral Disorders List: Diagnosing & Understanding Children IssuesRead article →Body Image in Bangladesh: When Food, Weight and Looks Take OverRead article →
Take the first step
Food should not run your life
Book a confidential session with a licensed psychologist who works with eating disorders, or browse verified specialists across Bangladesh — online anywhere, or in person in Dhaka.
