Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are not just about food, weight, vanity, or willpower, but are serious and potentially life-threatening mental disorders. Most eating disorders occur when a person has distortions in thoughts and emotions relating to body image, leading to marked changes in eating or exercise behaviors that interfere with the person’s life.

Behavioral:

• Dieting behaviors, such as fasting, counting calories, avoidance of food groups or types
• Evidence of binge eating
• Evidence of vomiting or laxative use
• Excessive, obsessive, or ritualistic exercise patterns
• Changes in food preferences
• Development of rigid patterns around food selection, preparation, and eating such as cutting food into small pieces, or eating very slowly
• Avoidance of eating meals
• Lying about amount or type of food consumed or evading questions about eating and weight
• Behaviors focused on body shape and weight
• Development of repetitive or obsessive behaviors relating to body shape and weight, such as pinching waist or wrists, repeated weighing, or excessive time spent looking in mirrors
• Social withdrawal or avoidance of previously enjoyed activities

Physical:

• Weight loss or weight fluctuations
• Sensitivity to cold or feeling cold most the time, even in warm temperatures
• Changes in menstruation
• Swelling around cheeks or jaw, calluses on knuckles, or dental discoloration from vomiting
• Fainting

Psychological:

• Preoccupation with food, body shape, and weight
• Extreme body dissatisfaction
• Distorted body image, such as complaining of being, feeling, looking fat when actually having a healthy weight or being underweight
• Sensitivity to comments or criticism about exercise, food, body shape, or weight

• Assess for risk of suicide or harm
• Listen nonjudgmentally
• Give reassurance and information
• Encourage appropriate professional help
• Encourage self-help and other support strategies