Though some symptoms of eating disorders–like refusing to eat or rapidly losing weight–are easily detectable, others can be much harder. If someone you care for begins showing these signs, it is crucial that intervention and treatment be suggested immediately in order to avoid potential long-term health problems.
Binge Eating Disorder
People living with binge eating disorder experience feelings of constant hunger and out of control when eating. They may consume large quantities of food quickly in a short amount of time before feeling disgust or shame when finished; this may result in binge episodes occurring several times every week. In addition, those suffering from this condition frequently have depressive moods as well as body image concerns such as fearing becoming overweight, as well as holding other people responsible for this gain in weight.
Bulimia or Anorexia
These conditions are characterized by disordered food behaviors and an intense fear of weight gain. People may skip meals, consume large portions very quickly or avoid foods they do not particularly like; additionally they might engage in ritualized behaviors, such as purging or forcing themselves to vomit after meals; they also likely conceal their eating habits from others and may wear baggy clothes to hide their bodies.
Preoccupation With Body Image Concerns
If someone spends excessive amounts of time looking at their own or other people’s bodies, making negative remarks about themselves or insisting that they are overweight, this behavior should raise a red flag – known as Body Image Disturbance and possibly indicative of Anorexia or Bulimia.
Obsession With Nutrition
An obsession with healthy eating is one of the early indicators that someone may be developing an eating disorder, such as sudden in-depth knowledge about calories and nutritional values of foods seemingly out of nowhere, downloading recipes and watching cooking shows when previously they didn’t care much for either activity, downloading new recipes from sites they previously didn’t follow or attending cooking shows where previously there wasn’t any interest; these individuals often limit the variety of food consumed resulting in low energy and malnutrition levels.
Overly Stressed Eating
Stressed eating is often the first indication of an eating disorder, yet can be hard to spot due to not always manifesting with outward signs. Someone suffering from this may eat extra food when feeling anxious, sad, angry or guilty and become easily distracted when doing so. They might eat in secret and secretively when distressed; may take comfort in extra food when feeling sad, angry, guilty or lonely; may consume more than necessary and become easily distracted while they eat;
To help friends and family members identify these symptoms, try keeping a food and drink diary for several days. A food and drinking diary allows people to track how much food was eaten quickly as well as any emotional or physical changes at that moment in time. Furthermore, reduce distractions while eating by slowing down and being mindful about eating; taking this approach may reduce mindless consumption while simultaneously helping one to recognize when one has reached fullness sooner rather than later.