Signs of an eating disorder vary person to person, not to mention there are several different types. Here are 10 common ways to identify a possible eating disorder either within yourself or a loved one.
Every person has different eating habits, and there are many styles of eating that allow you to stay healthy. However, certain types of eating habits can damage your health.
What are eating disorders?
An eating disorder is a psychological condition that creates unhealthy eating habits. It could begin with obsession with certain foods, body image or weight.
They range from mild to severe, and in serious cases, eating disorder can result in drastic health consequences and even death. It is important if you or a loved one are suffering with an eating disorder, that you contact your doctor.
Eating disorders don’t discriminate and can affect people of all ages and gender. However, they are most common in teenage and young women. Up to 9% of the population of the U.S. is suffering from an eating disorder.
What causes them?
There are three main causes of eating disorders, genetics, personal traits and culture.
Genetics
If eating disorders run in the family, it is much more likely that they will be passed down. In twin studies, if one twin develops an eating disorder, the other has a 50% changes of developing one too.
Personality Traits
Impulsivity, neuroticism (like anxiety and depression) and perfectionism are traits most often linked to higher risk of developing an eating disorder.
Culture
There is a lot of pressure to look a certain way. With social media and celebrity, cultural preferences for a certain look promote ideals that can cause eating disorders to develop.
Types of eating disorders
Anorexia Nervosa
This is one of the most well-known eating disorders. It is common amongst teenagers and tends to affect women more than men. People with Anorexia view themselves as overweight and restrict their food intake.
Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia is another well-known eating disorder. It is similar to anorexia as it tends to affect adolescents and early adults. People with bulimia may eat large amounts of food until they become painfully full.
Common purging behaviours include forced vomiting, fasting and laxatives.
Binge Eating Disorder
Binge eating is believed to be the most common eating disorder in the U.S. It can develop at any period of ones life and has similar symptoms to anorexia and bulimia.
Binge eating disorder involves a person it unusually large amounts of food in relatively short periods and with lack of control.
Pica
This disorder involved eating things that are not actually food, like ice, soap, paper, wool, cloth etc. It is most common for children, pregnant women and those with mental disabilities.
This poses serious health risks that can cause poisoning, infections, injuries and nutritional deficiencies.
Rumination Disorder
This disorder is considered relatively new and involves a person who chews their food and spits it out. It can occur with infants 3-12 months old but often disappears on its own. However, adults can develop this disorder as a way to restrict food intake.
If not resolved it can lead to severe weight loss and malnutrition which can be fatal.
10 signs of an eating disorder
1. Sudden weight loss
If a person loses a large amount of weight in a very short period of time, it is can be sign of an eating disorder. The process of regular weight loss is performed carefully and often requires longer amounts of time.
2. Obsession with weight
People who suffer from an eating disorder might talk or complain about their weight more than frequently. They do this even though regardless of if they are over or under weight. Beyond that, they keep counting the calories, and they talk about them after every meal.
3. Over-exercising
In order to keep their calories down, people with eating disorders may exercise excessively. They visit the gym every day, and although they are very thin, and don’t consume much food, they want to exercise in order to burn fat.
4. Repeatedly going to the bathroom
This is usually happening after the meals and can be a sign of bulimia. Which is the act of forcing oneself to throw up after a meal. Additional signs of this could be running water in order to hide the sound of vomiting.
5. Avoiding places where food is consumed
If a person starts to avoid family dinners or stops visiting restaurants and bars where food is served, this might be a sign of an eating disorder. Additionally, they tend to isolate themselves from places where food is present.
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6. Physical signs
Eating disorders can cause a lot of physical changes like hair loss, grey appearance of the skin, headaches, dizziness, fatigue, swollen glands, sore throat, low blood pressure, irregular menstrual cycles, constipation and more.
7. Hiding food
This is a common sign of a binge eating disorder. People tend to hide stashes of food in cabinets, closets and even under the bed. This is normal for them because they need food that can be easily accessed if they feel hungry.
Moreover, it is important to remember that not all these signs are sure-fire ways to detect if a loved one has an eating disorder. If you are concerned talk to doctor first before confronting the issue.
8. Loss of sexual desire
This sign is common for all types of eating disorders. It comes as a direct result of the changes in the body due to an abnormal level of calories. Which in turn, affects the body’s hormones and the work of the organs.
9. Depression and mood swings
Mood swings and depression are almost always present with eating disorders. Those suffering may feel insecure, with self-esteem, which can lead to depression. Furthermore, this situation can cause constant fatigue and a lack of energy.
10. Strange behavior around food
Lastly, this sign includes slow eating, throwing food out, eating secretly and lying about how much food was consumed.
The bottom line
Eating disorders are a serious and sometimes deadly condition. There are many symptoms that you may be able to observe yourself however, a doctors opinion must be required.
Eating disorders are a mental condition and usually will require treatment of some sort. Additionally, they can cause severe damage if left untreated. These common signs of an eating disorder are ways to help identify. However, talking to a professional is important.
Overall, if you or someone you know is suffering from an eating disorder, talk to a healthcare provider that specializes in eating disorders.
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