Eating disorders, including anorexia, bulimia, eating disorder not otherwise specified, compulsive overeating, and binge eating disorder, are serious, life-threatening illnesses. Many times eating disorders can go undetected and be extremely secretive. Fortunately, there is help and hope. With appropriate treatment, individuals can recover from an eating disorder. It can be difficult to know whether or not to approach someone you are concerned about, or to ask for help for yourself, but getting help is critical. Eating disorders can be deadly illnesses and treatment is available. If you or someone you know is exhibiting signs or symptoms of an eating disorder, such as the following, please talk to a treatment professional.
Eating Disorder Warning Signs
Tips for approaching someone you are concerned may have an eating disorder
What to do if you think you may be struggling with an eating disorder
Warning signs associated with Anorexia Nervosa and related disorders:
- Restriction of food intake
- Refusal to eat
- Elimination of certain foods or food groups
- Significant weight loss
- Feelings of guilt and shame associated with eating
- Depression or mood swings
- Isolation, often from activities involving food
- Preoccupation with weight, dieting, food, and nutritional information
- Belief that weight is too high, despite thin/emaciated appearance
- For females, loss of menstrual periods or irregular menstrual cycle
Warning signs associated with Bulimia Nervosa and associated disorders:
- Overeating or eating uncontrollably, followed by self-induced vomiting, laxative, diet pill, diuretic abuse, or overexercising
- Eating very rapidly
- Eating alone due to shame or embarrassment
- Feelings of guilt and shame due to overeating
- Frequent trips to the bathroom, particularly after meals
- Depression or mood swings
- Preoccupation with weight, dieting, and food
- Isolation, often from activities involving food
- Weight fluctuations
- Hiding food, secret stashes of food, or secret disposal of wrappers, containers, etc. from food items consumed
- Chronic dieting
- For females, loss of menstrual periods or irregular menstrual cycle
Warning signs associated with Compulsive Overeating or Binge Eating Disorder and related disorders:
- Overeating or eating uncontrollably, even when not physically hungry
- Eating very rapidly
- Eating alone due to shame or embarrassment
- Feelings of guilt and shame due to overeating
- Depression or mood swings
- Isolation, often from activities involving food, due to embarrassment about weight or eating
- Eating very little in public, but maintaining a high weight
- Preoccupation with weight, dieting, and food
- Chronic dieting
- Typically, awareness that eating patterns are abnormal
Tips for approaching someone you are concerned may have an eating disorder:
- Ask to speak to the person in a private setting
- Explain your specific concerns to the person in a non-judgmental way (e.g. "I'm concerned because you seem to be isolated and not wanting to be involved in any activities, especially when there is food involved"; "I see a large amount of food disappearing in the house and I'm concerned that you may be struggling with an eating problem"; "Your mood seems to be changing these days and I'm concerned about you", etc.).
- Offer to accompany the person to an evaluation with a qualified mental health person
- Continue to check in with the person and offer support
What to do if you think you may be struggling with an eating disorder:
Contact a treatment professional in your area. The Emily Program has multiple treatment options, such as outpatient groups and individual sessions with a multidisciplinary treatment team, intensive outpatient programs, an intensive day program and a residential program. Call today to schedule a confidential, personalized assessment: 651.645.5323
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