Recognizing the Signs of an Eating Disorder

In honor of National Eating Disorder Week, Baptist wants you to know how to recognize the signs of an eating disorder in your friends or loved ones. The three most commonly diagnosed eating disorders are anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder.

Below are the most common warning signs associated with each of these eating disorders.

Anorexia Nervosa

• Insufficient food intake that results in a very low weight
• Severe fear of weight gain, obsession with weight, and constant prevention of weight gain
• Self-esteem tied completely to body image
• Binge eating or purging for months at a time

Binge Eating Disorder

• Frequently consuming large amounts of food without behaviors that will prevent any weight gain, like
  vomiting
• Feeling a loss of control while binge eating
• Strong feelings of guilt or shame when thinking about binge eating
• Signs that binge eating is out of control, like eating until no longer comfortable, eating alone out of
  shame, or eating without being hungry

Bulimia Nervosa

• Frequently consuming large amounts of food followed by actions to prevent any weight gain, like
  vomiting
• Feeling a loss of control during binge eating episodes
• Self-esteem tied completely to body image

If you notice these symptoms in yourself or a loved one, speak with your doctor right away.