Do I Have An Eating Disorder?

Eating disorders and disordered eating can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or background. They're serious conditions that can have a significant impact on physical and mental health. Recognizing when you might need support is crucial for getting the help you deserve. Here are some signs to look out for:

Obsessive Thoughts About Food

Constantly thinking about food, calories, or your body weight can be a sign of disordered eating. If these thoughts consume your mind and interfere with your daily life, it's essential to seek support.

Skipping Meals or Eating Past Fullness

Consistently skipping meals or eating beyond the point of fullness can be signs of disordered eating habits. Pay attention to your eating patterns and how they make you feel physically and emotionally.

Distorted Body Image

Feeling dissatisfied or disconnected from your body, regardless of size, may signal body dysmorphia—a common component of eating disorders. Seeking support can help you develop a healthier relationship with your body.

Secretive Behavior Around Food

Hiding food, eating alone, or avoiding social gatherings where food is involved might indicate shame or guilt around eating. Opening up about these behaviors can be the first step toward recovery.

Excessive or Compensatory Exercise

Compulsive exercise, where you feel driven to work out for long periods of time or to compensate for food you have eaten can be a symptom of an eating disorder. Balancing physical activity with rest is essential for overall well-being.

Mood Swings and Irritability

Fluctuations in mood, such as feeling anxious, irritable, or depressed, can be linked to disordered eating. These emotional changes may be triggered by feelings of guilt or shame associated with food and body image. 

Physical Symptoms

Noticeable physical symptoms like fatigue, dizziness, fainting, hair loss, or dental problems could indicate nutritional deficiencies resulting from disordered eating behaviors.

Withdrawal from Social Activities

Avoiding social situations that involve food or isolating yourself from friends and family can be a sign of disordered eating. Seeking support from loved ones and professionals is crucial for recovery.

Fixation on Food Rules

Strict adherence to food rules or rituals, such as only eating specific "safe" foods or following fad diets, can indicate disordered eating patterns. An eating disorder dietitian can support you detangling these rules. And help you nourish your body based on individual needs. 

If you recognize any of these signs in yourself or someone you care about, it's essential to seek support from a healthcare professional, therapist, or support group specializing in eating disorders. Remember, you're not alone, and recovery is possible with the right help and support. Taking the first step toward seeking help is a courageous act of self-care.

Reach Out

Emilee Young is an eating disorder dietitian and founder of Embrace Nutrition Counseling. She supports all ages and genders in healing their relationship with food and embracing their natural body size. She specializes in binge eating disorder and works from a Health at Every Size and Intuitive Eating framework.

Schedule a free 15-minute discovery call to learn more about how an eating disorder dietitian could support you.

Embrace Nutrition Counseling provides virtual nutrition counseling to residents in Virginia, DC, and Maryland. Including Virginia Beach, Roanoke, Blacksburg, Charlottesville, and Richmond, Virginia. 

Services offered include support for:

Binge Eating Disorder

Anorexia Nervosa

Bulimia Nervosa

Other Specified Eating Disorder

ARFID

Prenatal and Postnatal Nutrition