Eating Disorder Warning Signs

Warning Signs of an Eating Disorder

eating disorders, word cloud

In today’s appearance-obsessed culture, it is not uncommon to see people worry and stress about their weight, the foods they eat, how much they exercise, and their overall appearance. Because the diet culture is so prevalent, it can often be challenging to tell the difference between an eating disorder and normal self-consciousness, weight concerns, and body dissatisfaction.

Further complicating things, people with eating disorders will often go to great lengths to hide the problem. However, there are some warning signs and red flags that you can watch out for.

Restricting Food Intake / Dieting Behaviours

Making excuses to avoid meals or situations involving food (e.g. they had a big meal earlier, isn’t hungry, or has an upset stomach)
Eating only tiny portions or specific low-calorie foods, and often banning entire categories of food such as carbs or dietary fat
Obsessively counting calories, reading food labels, and weighing portions
Developing restrictive food rituals such as eating foods in certain orders, rearranging food on a plate, excessive cutting or chewing
Taking diet pills, prescription stimulants like Adderall or Ritalin, or even illegal drugs such as amphetamines (speed, crystal, etc.) to suppress appetite

Binging Behaviours

Unexplained disappearance of large amounts of food in short periods of time
Lots of empty food packages and wrappers, often hidden at the bottom of the trash
Hoarding and hiding stashes of high-calorie foods such as junk food and candy
Secrecy and isolation; may eat normally around others, only to binge late at night or in a private spot where they won’t be discovered or disturbed

Purging Behaviours

Disappearing right after a meal or making frequent trips to the bathroom
Showering, bathing, or running water after eating to hide the sound of purging
Using excessive amounts of mouthwash, breath mints, or perfume to disguise the smell of vomiting
Taking laxatives, diuretics, or enemas
Periods of fasting or compulsive, intense exercising, especially after eating
Frequent complaints of sore throat, upset stomach, diarrhea, or constipation
Discolored teeth

Distorted Body Image Behaviours

Extreme preoccupation with body size or weight (e.g. constantly checking weight on a scale, spending lots of time in front of the mirror inspecting and criticizing their body)
Significant weight loss, rapid weight gain, or constantly fluctuating weight
Frequent comments about feeling fat or overweight, or about a fear of gaining weight
Wearing baggy clothes or multiple layers in an attempt to hide weight

Exercise Addiction (Compulsive Exercise) Behaviours

Over-training, always exercising very intensely
Exercising at inappropriate times and places (e.g. missing family events, holidays, exercising in the middle of the night)
Exercising despite injury or extreme fatigue
Depression, anxiety, irritability, or guilt about taking a rest day or missing a workout
Withdrawal from family and friends to spend more time working out
When exercise is used primarily to burn calories, manage emotions, or give themselves permission to eat

Source

Worried that someone you care about may have an eating disorder? SPEAK UP!

It can be incredibly difficult to raise the subject of eating disorders with a friend or loved one. If you notice warning signs of an eating disorder in a friend or family member that concern you about their overall health and mental wellbeing, it’s important to SPEAK UP! You may just be the catalyst to help them get the recovery treatment they need to get better.