Child psychiatric units record rise in eating disorder admissions in 2025

Eating disorders accounted for the most admissions for under-18s to child psychiatric inpatient units, with girls making up almost all eating disorder admissions. File picture

Eating disorders accounted for almost 30% of admissions to child psychiatric inpatient units last year, up from just 18% of admissions in 2020.

The increase comes as the overall number of admissions to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service inpatient units rose from 332 in 2024 to 342 in 2025. Girls made up three quarters of admissions in 2025, but almost all eating disorder admissions.

Figures show an increase in child admissions for depressive disorders last year, after a sharp decline in the previous four years, and a rise in behavioural and emotional disorders.

A Health Research Board report reveals an increase in involuntary admissions of children, from 8% of admissions in 2024 to 13% in 2025 — or almost one in seven cases.

A breakdown on admissions for under-18s reveals:

• Eating disorders comprise the single highest category, accounting for 28% of admissions in 2025, up from 26% in 2024;
• Depressive disorders made up the second-highest category, at almost 18% of admissions, compared to 15% in 2024;
• Anxiety or fear-related disorders made up 14%, down from 18% 
• Behavioural and emotional disorders comprised 11% of cases, up from 8%

Commenting, HRB research officer Antoinette Daly said: “The last five years have seen a gradual increase in the proportion of admissions with eating disorders among children and adolescents, from 18% in 2020, to 28% in 2025. Females accounted for 97% of all admissions for eating disorders.” 

While eating disorders made up 28% of cases in 2025, they accounted for 42% of all bed days.

• Cormac O’Keeffe, security correspondent