Warning Signs/SYMPTOMS ⚠︎︎
Symptoms of eating disorders can be different for every person. Below are some potential signs.
Most Common Eating Disorders - DSM Criteria
Most Common Eating Disorders - DSM Criteria
- Anorexia Nervosa
- BMI less than 18.5
- Binge/Purge & Restrictive subtype
- Restrictive behavior
- Compensatory behavior
- Weight related anxiety
- Intense fear of weight gain
- No such thing as “too thin”
- Distorted body image
- Preoccupation with appearance and body parts
- Atypical Anorexia
- No BMI requirement
- Characterized by extreme weight loss
- Bullimia Nervosa
- Binges - consuming a large amount of food in 2 hour period
- 1 per week for 3 months or more
- Recurrent binges
- Compensatory Behavior
- Vomiting | Laxatives | Extreme exercise
- Extreme preoccupation with body image
- Low self esteem due to body image
- Binges - consuming a large amount of food in 2 hour period
- Binge Eating Disorder
- Binges
- Recurrent binges
- 1 per week for 3 months
- Binges CAN include:
- Eating quickly
- Eating until over full
- Eating alone
- Self-loathing afterword
- Binges
- Obsession with food, weight, and/or body shape
- Muscle weakness
- Stomach cramps or constipation
- Difficult to concentrate
- Dizziness/fainting
- Irregular body temperature (too cold or too hot)
- Irregular sleep pattern
- Cuts across the top of finger joints
- Vomiting food after meals
- Excessive weight loss or gain
- Fearful of gaining weight
- Mood swings
- Social isolation
Risk Factors
Some may be at higher risk of having an eating disorder if they have experienced any of the following:
- Having a family member with an eating disorder
- Trauma/abuse
- Family/cultural influence (Family Systems Hypothesis)
- High stress levels
- Having another mental illness (like OCD)
- Bullying/body shaming
How to Help
- Immediate danger: Call 911
- If you know someone with an eating disorder:
- Educate yourself on the types: Anorexia nervosa (fear of being overweight), Pica (eating non-nutritive items) Bulimia nervosa (binging then purging of the food), Binge eating (repeatedly having short periods of eating large amounts of food), Rumination (regurgitation of food after meals), & more.
- Remind them of why their goal is getting better.
- Understand what they are going through is difficult & be there to support them.
- Encourage them to seek treatment from a professional (both mental & physical treatment)
- Be patient with them.
- Offer to listen.
- Don't say things like, "Just stop/start eating normal!"
- If you have an eating disorder:
- Remind yourself how strong you are & that your illness does not make you weak.
- Seek treatment from a doctor/therapist.
- Reach out for support.
- Listen to your feelings & body.
- Learn to love & accept yourself.
- Tell friends/family what you need.
- Remind yourself that healing takes time.
- Join a support group (ask your doctor for a referral).
- Cope with emotional pain in more positive ways like talking to a friend, going on a walk, and other activities that make you happy.
- Learn to create balance in many aspects of life.
Help Resources
- National Eating Disorders Association: CLICK HERE
- Help Guide: CLICK HERE
- Teen Line Message board: CLICK HERE
- Georgia Behavioral Health Professionals: CLICK HERE
- Call (800) 931 2237 (Mon-Thurs 9am - 9pm & Fri 9am - 5pm EST)
- Text NEDA to 741 74
- Teen Line (12-19): (310) 855 4673 OR Text TEEN to 839863
- National Alliance on Mental Illness: 1-800-950-6264
- CDC Division of Mental Health: 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636)
- The Real Depression Project Instagram: @realdepressionproject
More about Eating Disorders
- Medline Plus: medlineplus.gov
- National Institute of Mental Health: nimh.nih.gov
- Mayo Clinic: mayoclinic.org
- John Hopkins Medicine: hopkinsmedicine.org
- American Psychiatric Association: psychiatry.org
- Help Guide: helpguide.org
- National Eating Disorders Association: nationaleatingdisorders.org
