Identifying an Eating Disorder

Anorexia Nervosa (AN) is characterized by excessive food restriction and weight loss, intense fear of weight gain, and distorted body image.  

Bulimia Nervosa (BN) is characterized by a chaotic cycle of binge eating followed by purging, either through self-induced vomiting, laxative abuse, exercise, or the use of a substance to rid the body of the ingested food.  

Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is characterized by periods of uncontrolled, impulsive, or continuous eating beyond the point of comfortable fullness.  

Avoidant and Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is characterized by persistent failure to meet appropriate nutritional or energy needs associated with apparent lack of interest in eating food, food avoidance based on the sensory characteristics of food, or concern about aversive consequences of eating

Unspecified Feeding or Eating Disorder (USFED) is a diagnosis given when symptoms cause significant distress but full criteria for AN, BN, or BED are not met.  Orthorexia, or the obsession with healthy or clean eating could fall into this category.  

The Nourishment Center is able to treat these Eating Disorders in both males and females.

These are some behaviors that can be warning signs of an eating disorder.  Eating disorders thrive in secrecy, so many of these behaviors may be difficult to detect.    

• Makes excuses to avoid family meals or stays away from social situations involving food.
• Goes through rituals to make eating small amounts of food less obvious. 
• Fluctuates between excessive eating and restricting food. 
• Obsessively exercises without enjoyment regardless of bad weather, illness, or injury. 
• Often disappears to the bathroom after eating. 
• Preoccupation and dissatisfaction with body shape. 
• Wears layers of baggy clothing to hide body, even in warm weather. 
• Is always cold. 
• Develops dental problems or callouses on knuckles. 
• Disgusted with former favorite foods, only eats certain foods (“safe foods”). 
• Has frantic fear of weight gain and repeatedly diets. 
• Simplistic, black and white, all or nothing thinking. 
• Has trouble talking about feelings. 
• Seems moody, irritable, and withdrawn more than normal. 
• Engages in self-harm behaviors (cutting, burning, risk-taking) 
• Secretive eating, hiding food wrappers, food disappears without explanation. 
• Preoccupation with food and eating – increased interest in food channels, recipes, and cooking

There is no cause of an eating disorder. Some patients can point back to an age or time in their life when their eating disorder developed, but there is rarely one simple cause to point to.  This can be frustrating for families wanting something to blame. Parents often blame themselves.  It is important to remember that guilt can be paralyzing and hold families back from fully engaging in support and recovery. Following are risk factors that can lead to the development of an eating disorder. Understanding the risks can give guidance toward adequate support.

Personality

• High achiever
• Perfectionist
• Obedient “rule follower”
• Tend to repress emotions
• Low self-esteem
• Negative, pessimistic
• Sensitive
• Impulsive/volatile

Biological

• Genetics
• Body type
• Co-morbid disorders
• Developmental history

Psychological

• Feelings of inadequacy or lack of control in life
• Lack of a sense of self/identity
• Depression, anxiety, anger, loneliness

Interpersonal

• Troubled family and personal relationships
• Difficulty expressing feelings and emotion
• History of teasing or ridicule about appearance
• History of physical or sexual abuse

Social

• Cultural pressures that glorify “thinness” and place value on obtaining the “perfect body”
• Narrow definitions of beauty that include only specific body weight and shapes
• Cultural norms that value people on the basis of physical appearance and not inner qualities

Other Factors 

• Competitive Sports
• Diets