Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on persons experiencing an eating disorder in the Republic of Ireland

In this cross-sectional survey, all adult patients attending the eating disorder service in St Patrick’s Mental Health Services (SPMHS) Dublin for one year before the COVID-19 pandemic, that is, all patients in the inpatient unit, outpatient, and day hospital service from March 2019 to March 2020, were invited to participate in the study. Most of the participants, 83.3% (n = 20) reported that the pandemic worsened overall symptoms of the eating disorders, and 70% (n = 17) reported that the pandemic worsened their quality of life. (2021) reported a significant surge in hospital admissions for eating disorders in children, adolescents, and adults.