Do you fear that you may be suffering from an eating disorder but are unsure? Read these 6 signs and symptoms of eating disorders to determine if any of them apply to you. As a nutritionist specializing in the treatment of eating disorders, I often see people overlook the warning signs indicating that their once seemingly harmless diet behaviors are spiraling out of control. In a culture that praises weight loss and diets, symptoms of eating disorders can easily go unnoticed and unfortunately, they are sometimes even praised in people with a heavier body structure. It can be difficult to recognize that you are suffering from an eating disorder when disordered eating is so normalized in this health-obsessed and weight-obsessed culture. While this post is for educational purposes only and not intended for diagnosis, and does not replace individual medical, nutritional, or psychological advice, I hope it gives you some insights to help you find a doctor who can provide you with a diagnosis or, more importantly, the care and support you deserve. You deserve a healthy relationship with food. What is an eating disorder? An eating disorder is a biopsychosocial disorder, meaning it is influenced by biology (genetics), personality traits (which often coexist with other mental illnesses such as anxiety or PTSD), and sociocultural factors such as anti-fat bias. There are different types of eating disorders, including: Anorexia nervosa Bulimia Binge-eating disorder Other specified feeding or eating disorder Avoidant or restrictive food intake disorder Rumination disorder Pica Orthorexia Signs and symptoms of an eating disorder 1. You are preoccupied with food I always ask my clients to imagine a pie chart encompassing all thoughts they have throughout the day. And then I ask them how much percent of the thoughts revolving around food, weight, and health they would color in. While there is no exact threshold here, it is revealing to hear the answer. My clients who say, oh, it takes up everything or definitely the majority, 75% or more, usually suffer from an eating disorder or disordered eating. If you notice that you think too much about choosing your food and feel constantly thinking about food and getting upset about it and not having the mental bandwidth for much else, you deserve more support. 2. Your list of „safe foods“ keeps getting shorter People with eating disorders often avoid many foods or a specific food group like carbohydrates or fats, putting them at risk for nutrient deficiencies. When they consume a „fear food,“ they usually feel very uncomfortable and experience strong feelings of guilt or shame. 3. Your social life is negatively affected Do you avoid certain situations where you eat a lot, or do these cause significant discomfort? People with eating disorders often struggle to eat in restaurants or travel and may avoid social events or meetings with friends that involve food. 4. You notice new physical symptoms You may notice one or more of the following symptoms: significant weight fluctuations, amenorrhea (absence of menstruation), feeling cold, development of lanugo hair or fine body hair, dry skin, dizziness, weakness, fatigue, blood pressure fluctuations, gastrointestinal problems, hair loss, and sleep disturbances. This is not an exhaustive list, but these are some common physical symptoms to watch out for. You may also want to read my blog post on signs that you are not eating enough. 5. You feel out of control while eating My clients often say they feel like they can’t trust themselves when it comes to eating and that they lose control with certain trigger foods. Once they start eating a specific food, they may not be able to stop and eat until it becomes very uncomfortable, and sometimes they don’t even feel present during the experience. Afterwards, they report intense feelings of guilt or shame and may try to engage in compensatory behaviors the next day, such as vomiting, excessive physical activity, or restriction. They may also eat secretly or hide or hoard food. 6. You fixate on your body shape and size People with eating disorders are often very dissatisfied with their physical appearance and frequently engage in body checking. They may scrutinize their body in the mirror, weigh themselves, compare their body to others, or pinch various body parts. What to do if you suspect an eating disorder? If you suspect that you are suffering from an eating disorder or disordered eating, you are entitled to treatment, support, and care. You should not suffer alone. Seek out a nutritionist, therapist, or primary care provider specializing in the treatment of eating disorders to determine if you meet the criteria for an eating disorder. And even if you do not (there are issues with the diagnostic criteria), you still deserve support if this is negatively impacting your quality of life. Period. Our private practice specializes in the treatment of eating disorders, and all our registered dietitians specialize in weight issues and trauma. Learn more about nutrition counseling and book your nutrition analysis today. More resources on eating disorders: National Eating Disorders Association Project Heal Academy for Eating Disorders Fed Up Collective National Association for Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders Association for Size Diversity and Health National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance For more blog posts like this, visit: Am I eating enough? 8 signs you are not eating enough What is the hunger-fullness scale? Best books on body image Am I hungry? Signs of hunger to watch out for The science behind diets and weight loss
6 Warnsignale für eine Essstörung
