There is a quick screening tool that can give you an idea if you or someone you know may be suffering from an eating disorder. While eating disorder symptoms are vast, these questions will indicate if there is a problem.
Do you ever feel to full and want to get rid of the food or calories?
Clearly this question will indicate bulimic behaviors. It is important to note, you do not necessarily have to make yourself vomit in order to be bulimic. There are many other ways a person tries to get rid of food when they feel they have overeaten. These methods include: exercise, laxative use, restriction, etc.
Do you worry you have lost control over how much you eat?
The most common indicator of an eating disorder is feeling out of control with food. This feeling is common in compulsive overeating, binge eating disorder and bulimia. If you or someone you know feels this way, you need to get help.
Has your weight dropped 15 pounds or more recently?
Obviously this question is pointing at anorexic behaviors. Do note, this is excessive weight loss from any starting weight. The individual suffering with anorexic habits may not actually be underweight. If someone starts out at a weight above normal, they can lose a lot of weight and still appear healthy. It is just as crucial for a person who remains in a normal range to get treatment for their disorder.
Do others say you look fine, but you still see yourself as fat?
If there is a big difference between how you see yourself and others see you, there is a problem. The inability to see yourself accurately is called body dysmorphic disorder. This disorder is commonly linked with eating disorders and requires professional treatment.
Would you say that food dominates your life?
This question pertains to all types of eating disorders. Food and body thoughts will take up the majority of one's thoughts when they are struggling with an eating disorder. This absolutely robs a person of the opportunity to enjoy their life. It is a constant distraction that prevents a person from really experiencing what is happening around them.
Answering yes to two or more of the questions above indicates you are probably struggling with eating disorder symptoms. You must get help to recover from an eating disorder. Some people can stop the eating disorder behaviors on their own, but this will not fix the underlying issues. It is important to seek help immediately if you or someone you know is struggling with any of the above problems.
Do you ever feel to full and want to get rid of the food or calories?
Clearly this question will indicate bulimic behaviors. It is important to note, you do not necessarily have to make yourself vomit in order to be bulimic. There are many other ways a person tries to get rid of food when they feel they have overeaten. These methods include: exercise, laxative use, restriction, etc.
Do you worry you have lost control over how much you eat?
The most common indicator of an eating disorder is feeling out of control with food. This feeling is common in compulsive overeating, binge eating disorder and bulimia. If you or someone you know feels this way, you need to get help.
Has your weight dropped 15 pounds or more recently?
Obviously this question is pointing at anorexic behaviors. Do note, this is excessive weight loss from any starting weight. The individual suffering with anorexic habits may not actually be underweight. If someone starts out at a weight above normal, they can lose a lot of weight and still appear healthy. It is just as crucial for a person who remains in a normal range to get treatment for their disorder.
Do others say you look fine, but you still see yourself as fat?
If there is a big difference between how you see yourself and others see you, there is a problem. The inability to see yourself accurately is called body dysmorphic disorder. This disorder is commonly linked with eating disorders and requires professional treatment.
Would you say that food dominates your life?
This question pertains to all types of eating disorders. Food and body thoughts will take up the majority of one's thoughts when they are struggling with an eating disorder. This absolutely robs a person of the opportunity to enjoy their life. It is a constant distraction that prevents a person from really experiencing what is happening around them.
Answering yes to two or more of the questions above indicates you are probably struggling with eating disorder symptoms. You must get help to recover from an eating disorder. Some people can stop the eating disorder behaviors on their own, but this will not fix the underlying issues. It is important to seek help immediately if you or someone you know is struggling with any of the above problems.
About the Author:
Jennifer Pereira, RD, LD, CSCS specializes in the treatment of eating disorders. You can learn more about eating disorders by visiting her website.
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