Eating disorders can develop into severe illnesses with catastrophic effects on sufferers and their families. By learning more about the various types, symptoms, and warning signs of eating disorders, you can put yourself in a position to help a loved one get treatment and start recovery.
Table of Contents
What is an eating disorder?
Harmful eating disorder behaviors typically stem from a mental illness where the person has distorted perceptions around their weight, body image, and food. Many people assume eating disorders affect those who are either obese or skinny, but physique is not an obvious indicator of an illness.
Eating disorders can have many different root causes. According to research, eating disorders are bio-socio-cultural diseases that are influenced by both inherited and environmental variables. Environmental triggers are connected to elevated risks of having an eating problem such as society and the media-driven perceptions of the body ideal, bullying, emotional trauma, and other stressors.
What are the types of eating disorders?
Those with an eating disorder display varying symptoms that may not always be noticeable. By knowing what to look for, no matter how subtle, can help you prepare in getting help for your loved one. Each diagnosis has characteristics differentiating it from other mental illnesses and eating disorders.
Anorexia Nervosa
People with anorexia drastically limit their food intake resulting in extreme weight loss. They may also exercise excessively, use laxatives, or diuretics.
Bulimia Nervosa
Binge eating is a defining trait of bulimia nervosa, which is followed by compensatory behavior such as purging to avoid gaining weight.
Binge Eating
This disorder is described as out-of-control and excessive eating in a short space of time even if they are not hungry. People who binge eat do not expel the food like those with bulimia.
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder
People with this disorder have extreme avoidance and restriction on their food intake, however, the cause is not rooted in body image or weight gain like anorexia.
Rumination Disorder
This condition occurs when digested or partially food is unintentionally regurgitated after eating on a regular basis.
Pica
It is normal for toddlers to eat non-food substances, but when behavior persists with craving and consuming inedible objects, it could indicate the person has pica.
Other eating disorders
Conditions that do not fit the criteria for a specific disorder diagnosis are usually classified in a more general category, for example, Other Specified Eating Disorder.
What are the signs of an eating disorder?
Eating disorders are complicated conditions that impact psychological, physical, and emotional health. The following signs and symptoms are typical of an eating disorder especially when multiple indicators are present.
1. Emotional signs of eating disorders
Our decisions and behaviors, psychological health, cognitive wellbeing, and physical health are all intricately connected and have an impact on one another. The effects of having an eating disorder can also manifest in emotional symptoms:
● Beliefs, attitudes, and decisions that focus on dieting and calories with extreme obsession over food and gaining weight.
● Withdrawal from social interactions.
● Having trouble focusing and dwelling on cynical thoughts.
● Abrupt mood swings, impatience, melancholic, and/or hostile.
● Trouble expressing emotions.
● Obsessing over appearance and thinness.
2. Behavioral signs of eating disorders
A person’s behavior will also show if they are struggling with mental health and disordered eating habits. Co-occurring problems include mood and anxiety disorders, substance addiction, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts that may also develop in people with eating disorders.
● Constantly looking for physical flaws.
● Consuming food secretly or choosing to eat alone.
● Binging, self-induced vomiting, and excessive use of enemas, laxatives, and dieting aids.
● Spending an abnormal amount of time in the bathroom, especially after meals.
● Vigorous exercise regimen even when ill or injured.
● Always giving excuses to avoid meals.
● Lying about their food consumption.
● Odd eating rituals like cutting food into small pieces or excessive chewing.
● Constantly checking their body weight.
● Wearing layers of clothing to conceal their body.
3. Physical signs of eating disorders
The malnourishment from disordered eating impacts the body’s organs, brain, endocrine, and gastrointestinal systems. A starved brain and body cannot function optimally, so if someone has an eating disorder, they will present more than one of these symptoms.
● Poor concentration.
● Rapid weight fluctuations.
● Constipation or diarrhea.
● Low blood pressure and dizziness.
● Lethargic and consistent reports of feeling tired.
● Brittle nails, and dry hair and skin.
● Loss of menstrual cycle.
● Soft hair growth covering the body.
● Gastrointestinal issues.
● Impaired immune system functioning.
How to help someone with an eating disorder?
An eating disorder will affect a person’s performance at work or school as well as their relationships with friends and family when their pattern of disordered eating becomes more obvious, and the related behaviors grow more severe. Supporting a loved one who is battling an eating issue is challenging, and in many cases, they may not even realize they have a problem. This compounded with their symptoms can be frustrating and very concerning.
Identifying that someone you care about is in trouble can be tough when you have an uneasy feeling, but not sure what to look for. So, knowing what are the mental and emotional signs of eating disorders is a critical part of being able to recognize there is a problem and then take action to provide help.
● Directly, but gently, ask about the signs they are exhibiting. Prepare a list of the behaviors you’ve observed, then enter the conversation with enquiry and care.
● Let them talk and tell their story while you listen sympathetically. They may not immediately acknowledge there is an issue, but it will set the tone for open dialogue.
● Stay in control of your own emotions. If your feelings take over and dominate the talk, it won’t be productive. Start the conversation with your emotions in check and without judgment.
● Be honest, supportive, and openly discuss therapy options that will let them speak freely and confidentially with someone outside the family.
● If the person’s condition is severe or life-threatening, you may need to contact a physician or treatment facility for prompt treatment.