A person who is suffering from an eating disorder may do all they can to hide it. They may pretend as though everything is fine when behind the scenes, they are struggling. While it is possible to hide the problem for a while, signs of an eating disorder will eventually surface. When they do, it may become apparent that the individual needs help at an eating disorder treatment center.
Since eating disorders are not always easy to identify, friends, or family of a loved need to know the signs so that they can intervene and get help for the individual. With the right treatment, a person struggling with anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating can overcome their disorder. Let’s take a closer look below at the signs of an eating disorder.
What is an Eating Disorder?
An eating disorder is characterized by the persistent and disturbing behaviors associated with food. These behaviors often involve either restricting food intake, binging and purging, or consuming too much food. A person may also engage in consuming objects that are not considered a food or regurgitating food and either swallowing it or spitting it out.
Common eating disorders include:
- Anorexia
- Bulimia
- Binge eating
- Regurgitation
An isolated incident of any of these behaviors does not qualify as a disorder. A person has a problem when they repeat these behaviors over a long period. More importantly, the behaviors are connected with a mental disorder or a distortion of a person’s self-image.
Signs of an Eating Disorder
There are several ways that you can tell if a person has an eating disorder. If they exhibit at least two or more of these signs, you may want to consider helping them get into an anorexia treatment program.
Chronic Dieting
While many diet fads are not healthy, this doesn’t mean a person has a problem. If an individual chases after every fad with an insatiable desire to lose weight, then they may have an eating disorder. They may be on various diets, all to lose as much weight as possible.
Weight Fluctuations
Someone who has an eating disorder will often experience weight fluctuations at a much faster rate than normal. It is not uncommon for them to lose or gain as much as five to ten pounds per week. This symptom is common with people who have bulimia due to binging and purging regularly.
A Constant Effort to Control Their Eating
One of the main signs of a disorder is a person’s attempt to control their eating at all costs. They may purchase their food, insist on cooking, or refuse to eat a meal prepared by someone else. They may make recommendations on which groceries to buy or accompany someone to the store.
Counting Calories and Looking at Labels
A disorder is often characterized by the obsession that a person has with losing weight. They may get to the point where they are reading every food label, counting calories, or always online look at the nutrition information for food. They may refuse to eat any type of food that they have not already researched.
Eating Rituals
Eating rituals are not noticeable at first. Like the disorder itself, it takes a while for a person to develop a pattern. They may eat at certain times, cut up food into small pieces, or even try to hide their food at the table. They develop habits to ensure that they stay in control of their food intake.
Learn More About Eating Disorders Today
Learn to recognize the signs of an eating disorder. If you need to overcome anorexia or bulimia, then contact a local bulimia nervosa treatment program today.
