The Most Common Signs of Eating Disorders Explained

Maybe you’ve been struggling with your mental health recently because you’ve been so focused on your weight. You might have been dealing with body image issues for years, and recently, it seems like your anxieties about your body have reached a fever pitch. It’s hard to simply enjoy a meal when you feel so down about your weight. Despite your loved ones reassuring you that you look fine, you never seem to see what they do when you look in the mirror.

Alternatively, you might be concerned that one of your loved ones has developed an eating disorder. Maybe they’ve adopted a new diet and you’re not sure if their new habits are truly healthy changes — or if they could indicate a deeper issue. Here are a few signs that could indicate that you or a loved one is suffering from an eating disorder.

Preoccupation with Weight, Food, and Calories

For someone with an eating disorder, food can dominate their every thought. Paradoxically, trying to eat less can leave you thinking about food, calories, and weight all of the time. If someone is hungry, or they feel like they always have to plan ahead to eat as little as possible without other people noticing, it’s only natural that their mind will usually turn to food.

Struggles with Eating at Social Events

An individual with an eating disorder may make frequent excuses as to why they are not eating during a social event. They might claim that they already ate beforehand or that they have a meal planned for afterward.

You may notice that they cover up food on their plate with a napkin or that they dump the contents of their plate in the trash when it seems like no one is looking. They may even decline invitations to social events that are centered around food, like pot lucks.

Strict “Food Rules” or Rituals

People with eating disorders often come up with specific rules or rituals around food. They may be particular about eating foods in a certain order, chewing each bite for a long time before swallowing, eliminating entire food groups for seemingly arbitrary reasons. Some people will even have rules about the way food must be arranged on their plates.

Noticeable Fluctuations in Weight

Behavioral and emotional signs aren’t the only warning flags for an eating disorder. Someone with an eating disorder might experience obvious fluctuations in weight that are noticeable to others. They might explain it away with reasons that don’t sound so concerning. Yet a dramatic drop in weight on a short timeline is almost always a sign that something is wrong.

Gastrointestinal Issues

Eating disorders can permanently affect the functioning of one’s gastrointestinal system, although the specific issues can vary. Someone with bulimia might have trouble keeping food down or experience severe heartburn. An individual with anorexia might struggle to eat a normal volume of food and feel sick afterward. Furthermore, people with eating disorders might complain about stomach cramps, especially if they’ve eaten more than usual.

Other Physical Health Problems

In addition to gastrointestinal issues, people with eating disorders can easily end up suffering from a wide range of other physical ailments. This can include dizziness and fainting, having trouble sleeping, dealing with dry skin, nails, and hair, or feeling cold all of the time, even when it’s warm. They may also suffer from hormonal imbalances, thyroid problems, or anemia. Women with eating disorders might also lose their menstrual cycles.

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Are you struggling with an eating disorder? A therapist can support you along your healing journey. Connect with us to learn more about our options for eating disorder therapy.