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How to know if you have an eating disorder?

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How to know if you have an eating disorder?

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This quiz is designed to help give you some idea about whether your concerns may be related to an eating disorder.

This online screening is not a diagnostic tool. Only a trained medical professional, like a doctor or mental health professional, can help you determine the next best steps for you.

Get Results

Last medically reviewed on November 17, 2020

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This quiz is designed to help give you some idea about whether your concerns may be related to an eating disorder. This online screening is not a diagnostic tool. Only a trained medical professional, like a doctor or mental health professional, can help you determine the next best steps for you.

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Eating disorders are behavioral conditions characterized by severe and persistent disturbance in eating behaviors and associated distressing thoughts and emotions. They can be very serious conditions affecting physical, psychological and social function.

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Most eating disorders involve focusing too much on your weight, body shape and food, leading to dangerous eating behaviors. These behaviors can significantly impact your body's ability to get appropriate nutrition. Eating disorders can harm the heart, digestive system, bones, teeth and mouth, and lead to other diseases. (Mayo Clinic,2021)

Experts believe that eating disorders may be caused by a variety of factors:

1. Genetics: more recent scholarship, has found that genes are likely to play a role, though exactly which genes are involved have yet to be determined. (Laura Angers)

2. Personality traits:  neuroticism, perfectionism, and impulsivity are three personality traits often linked to a higher risk of developing an eating disorder. (Alina Petre)

3. Social pressures from the media: include perceived pressures to be thin and cultural preferences for thinness. (Alina Petre)

4. Chemical Imbalance: it is similar to the kind of imbalances that may cause some kinds of depression. This may also explain why eating disorders are often experienced by people with mood disorders like anxiety and depression. (Laura Angers)

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Types of eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, avoidant restrictive food intake disorder, other specified feeding and eating disorder, pica and rumination disorder.
Taken together, eating disorders affect up to 5% of the population, most often develop in adolescence and young adulthood. Several, especially anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are more common in women, but they can all occur at any age and affect any gender. Eating disorders are often associated with preoccupations with food, weight or shape or with anxiety about eating or the consequences of eating certain foods.

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Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by weight loss (or lack of appropriate weight gain in growing children); difficulties maintaining an appropriate body weight for height, age, and stature; and, in many individuals, distorted body image. People with anorexia generally restrict the number of calories and the types of food they eat. Some people with the disorder also exercise compulsively, purge via vomiting and laxatives, and/or binge eat.

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Twig | A Short Film About Anorexia & Mental Illness

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Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder in which a person has regular episodes of eating a large amount of food (binge eating) during which they feel a loss of control over food. The person then uses various ways, such as vomiting or taking laxatives (purging), to prevent weight gain.

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According to behavior, the DSM-IV describes two types of bulimia.
- Purging includes self-induction of vomiting or the use of laxatives, diuretics, or enemas.
-The non-purgative uses other types of compensatory behavior such as fasting or excessive exercise.

Many people with bulimia also restrict what they eat during the day, which often causes more bouts of bingeing and purging. During these episodes, it is normal for you to eat a large amount of food in a short time, and then try to get rid of the extra calories in an unhealthy way.

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Bulimia Nervosa

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Bulimia nervosa - causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment & pathology

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When someone has binge-eating disorder, that person regularly eat too much food (binge) and feel a lack of control over her/his eating. They may eat quickly or eat more food than intended, even when they're not hungry, and they may continue eating even long after they're uncomfortably full.
(Mayo Clinic)

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Common symptoms of binge eating disorder

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Common symptoms of binge eating disorder

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1. Eating large amounts of foods rapidly, in secret and until uncomfortably full, despite not feeling hungry.

2.Feeling a lack of control during episodes of binge eating.

3.Feelings of distress, such as shame, disgust, or guilt, when thinking about the binge eating behavior.

4. No use of purging behaviors, such as calorie restriction, vomiting, excessive exercise, or laxative or diuretic use, to compensate for the binging.
(Alina Petre)

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Binge Eating Disorder Triggers and Treatments

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This eating disorder involves eating things that are not considered food.

Pica can occur in adults, as well as children and adolescents. That said, this disorder is most frequently observed in children, pregnant women, and individuals with mental disabilities

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People with pica eat nonfood items regularly. The behavior must continue for at least one month to qualify as pica.

If you someone has pica, that person may regularly eat things such as:

Ice

Soap

Buttons

Clay

Hair

Dirt

Sand

Paint

Glue

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Rumination is a newly recognized eating disorder.

This rumination typically occurs within the first 30 minutes after a meal. Unlike medical conditions like reflux, it’s voluntary.

This disorder can develop during infancy, childhood, or adulthood. In infants, it tends to develop between 3–12 months of age and often disappears on its own. Children and adults with the condition usually require therapy to resolve it.

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The signs and symptoms of rumination syndrome include:

Regurgitating and re-chewing food on a regular basis.

Digestive problems, such as indigestion and stomach aches.

Dental problems, such as bad breath and tooth decay.

Weight loss.

Chapped lips.

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What is Rumination Disorder? | Eating Disorders

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Other specified feeding or eating disorder (OSFED)

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Other specified feeding or eating disorder (OSFED)

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Other Specified Feeding and Eating Disorder (OSFED) is an eating disorder classification for those who do not meet the diagnostic criteria for any other eating disorders. OSFED has replaced “Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS)” in The Diagnostic & Statistical Manual (DSM-IV).

One disorder that may currently fall under OSFED is orthorexia.

Individuals with orthorexia tend to have an obsessive focus on healthy eating, to an extent that disrupts their daily lives.

For instance, the affected person may eliminate entire food groups, fearing they’re unhealthy. This can lead to malnutrition, severe weight loss, difficulty eating outside the home, and emotional distress.

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What is EDNOS (eating disorder not otherwise specified)? OSFED

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Muscle Dysmorphia (MD) is a subtype of Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) characterized by the preoccupation with the idea that one's body is not sufficiently lean and muscular. Individuals with MD perceive themselves as small and weak even if they look normal or very muscular.

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It's not known specifically what causes body dysmorphic disorder. Like many other mental health conditions, body dysmorphic disorder may result from a combination of issues, such as a family history of the disorder, abnormalities in the brain, and negative evaluations or experiences about your body or self-image.

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Spending an extended amount of time thinking about becoming more muscular

Excessive body monitoring practices

Unrealistic diet and exercise regimens, often causing significant distress

Dissatisfaction with one’s appearance, especially regarding muscularity and size

A strong belief of having substandard muscles, even in the face of the contrary

Active avoidance of situations involving potential body exposure

Avoiding people, places or events due to muscularity concerns

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Prader-Willi syndrome is a rare genetic condition that causes a wide range of physical symptoms, learning difficulties and behavioural problems. It's usually noticed shortly after birth.

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an excessive appetite and overeating, which can easily lead to dangerous weight gain

restricted growth (children are much shorter than average)

floppiness caused by weak muscles (Hypotonia)

learning difficulties

lack of sexual development

behavioural problems, such as temper tantrums or stubbornness

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Prader-Willi syndrome is caused by some missing genetic material in a group of genes on chromosome number 15.
This leads to a number of problems and is thought to affect part of the brain called the hypothalamus, which produces hormones and regulates growth and appetite.
This may explain some of the typical features of Prader-Willi syndrome, such as delayed growth and persistent hunger.
The genetic cause happens purely by chance, and boys and girls of all ethnic backgrounds can be affected.

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Pregorexia is a modern term used to describe the presence of anorexia-like symptoms in pregnant women. Women with the disorder have an excessive fear of pregnancy-related weight gain and use various methods, including extreme exercise routines and calorie restriction, to avoid the weight increases that mark the course of a normal, healthy pregnancy.

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Common features of the two conditions include an extreme or irrational fear of gaining weight, an unusual and unhealthy restriction on daily calorie intake, and an unusual or excessive devotion to various forms of exercise. Some women with pregorexia have a pre-existing history of anorexia or other eating disorders, while others develop problems only after becoming pregnant. Known potential factors in the onset of anorexia and other eating disorders include a culture that emphasizes thinness as a physical ideal, a family environment that emphasizes thinness, a family history of eating disorders, experience of rape or other forms of extreme physical trauma, stressful events such as moving or taking a new job, and biological factors such as hormonal or chemical imbalances and genetic predisposition.

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Night eating syndrome (NES) is a condition that combines overeating at night with sleep problems. With NES, you eat a lot after dinner, have trouble sleeping, and eat when you wake up at night.

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Lack of appetite in the morning

A strong urge to eat between dinner and sleep

Insomnia four or five nights a week

A belief that eating is necessary to get to sleep or get back to sleep

A depressed mood that gets worse during evening hours

If you have NES, you eat at least a quarter of your daily calories after dinner. That fact also bothers you.

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Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder, more commonly known as ARFID, is a condition characterised by the person avoiding certain foods or types of food, having restricted intake in terms of overall amount eaten, or both. Someone might be avoiding and/or restricting their intake for a number of different reasons.

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Individuals with this disorder experience disturbed eating either due to a lack of interest in eating or distaste for certain smells, tastes, colors, textures, or temperatures.

- Avoidance or restriction of food intake that prevents the person from eating sufficient calories or nutrients.

- Eating habits that interfere with normal social functions, such as eating with others.

- Weight loss or poor development for age and height.

-Nutrient deficiencies or dependence on supplements or tube feeding.

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Eating disorders can lead to an array of physical effects, both minor and severe. Dry skin, lost muscle mass, brittle hair and nails, and extreme thinness are some of the more obvious physical symptoms. However, eating disorders can also cause further physical conditions, such as Type II diabetes and pancreatitis. Other long-term, physical effects of eating disorders can include:

- Heart Problems
- Dehydration and Malnutrition
- Slowed Brain Function
- Gastroparesis

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Phychological effects of eating disorders

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Phychological effects of eating disorders

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Disordered eating is a complex, clinically-significant mental health condition that affects more than 20 million women and 10 million men across the United States. In addition to their physical effects, eating disorders are often characterized by psychological troubles, such as distorted thoughts, obsessive behaviors, low self-esteem, self-harm, anxiety, depression, social isolation, and a risk for suicide.

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Eating disorders including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness. Despite improved research on the topic, eating disorders are vastly misunderstood by the general population. Sadly, the persistent myths surrounding eating disorders make it harder for people with eating disorders to get the help needed to fully recover.

Eating disorders are often dismissed as illnesses of choice and vanity, or the consequence of a deliberate adoption of an extreme diet. However, these disorders have far more complex origins. They are not merely a rigid diet that someone can easily choose to abandon. Low weight and restrictive eating patterns biologically alter an individual’s psychological functioning and become firmly rooted.

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Warning Signs & Symptoms of an Eating Disorder

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Who can Diagnose and what are the treatments? 

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Who can Diagnose and what are the treatments? 

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Eating disorders are diagnosed based on signs, symptoms and eating habits. If your doctor suspects you have an eating disorder, he or she will likely perform an exam and request tests to help pinpoint a diagnosis. You may see both your primary care provider and a mental health professional for a diagnosis.

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Physical exam. Your doctor will likely examine you to rule out other medical causes for your eating issues. He or she may also order lab tests.

Psychological evaluation. A doctor or mental health professional will likely ask about your thoughts, feelings and eating habits. You may also be asked to complete psychological self-assessment questionnaires.

Other studies. Additional tests may be done to check for any complications related to your eating disorder.

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Treatment depends on the eating disorder, its cause, and your overall health. Your doctor may evaluate your nutritional intake, refer you to a mental health professional, or hospitalize you if your disorder has become life-threatening.

In some cases, psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or family therapy, can help address the social or emotional issues that may be causing your disorder.