Warning Signs Of An Eating Disorder
Eating disorders are serious mental disorders that can have serious long-term medical consequences, and can even be fatal. They are not a lifestyle choice, a phase of adolescence, attempts to eat healthily, or an expression of vanity. Eating disorders are characterised by abnormal or disturbed eating behaviours, which are often associated with extreme concerns about weight, physical appearance and/or eating. Anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder are the most common eating disorders.
While it is still unclear exactly what causes eating disorders, there is growing consensus that they are due to a range of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors. They can affect people of all ages (including before puberty), genders, religions, ethnicities, body shapes, and weights. Having said that, teenagers and young adults are particularly at risk, and eating disorders are more prevalent in young women.
It is common for people struggling with an eating disorder to try to hide their problem because they feel shame or guilt, or because they do not want to give up their behaviours. This can make it difficult to recognise the signs, particularly early on in the illness.
The earlier an eating disorder is detected, the better the chance of early intervention and successful recovery.
Awareness of some of the warning signs of an eating disorder is therefore very important.
The following signs are not intended to be used as a checklist to determine whether someone has an eating disorder. Symptoms will vary depending on the type of eating disorder being experienced, and an individual with an eating disorder is unlikely to have all of these signs. Rather, they may be used as a guide as to the types of behaviours and symptoms that suggest there may be a problem requiring further investigation.
Signs To Look For That May Indicate An Eating Disorder
Insecure body image: Strong negative focus on weight, body size and shape, or specific aspects of their appearance. Preoccupation with themselves and/or others as being ‘fat’. A change in clothing style (e.g. wearing baggy clothes) to hide their body.
Weight changes: Constant changes in weight, or rapid weight loss.
Excessive exercise: Exercising compulsively (sometimes up to several hours a day), executing a set number of repetitive exercises, and/or becomes distressed if interrupted or unable to exercise.
Food restriction: Keeping to increasingly strict diets (unrelated to actual weight), avoids specific food groups (e.g. carbohydrates), calorie counting, fasting, skipping meals, or lack of interest in food.
Ritualistic eating patterns: Cutting food into tiny pieces (and not actually eating much) or careful measuring of food portions are examples of this.
Cooking for others: Ongoing strong focus on food, recipes, or cooking. Preparing elaborate meals for others, but not joining in the eating.
Avoiding eating in front of others: Avoids eating in public and finds ways to not eat with family or friends. Avoiding meals or situations where there will be food.
Overeating/bingeing: Often (secretly) eats large amounts of food and seems to be out of control during these episodes. Eats when not hungry and/or eating to the point of discomfort.
Eating secretively: This might be noticed by large amounts of food disappearing from the kitchen, having been eaten (e.g. finding empty food containers, packets or wrappers), or being hoarded.
Purging: Using vomiting, laxatives, diuretics or diet pills in an attempt to compensate for eating. This may be noticed because purging often involves going to the bathroom during, or immediately after, eating.
Social withdrawal: Becoming isolated, withdrawing from usual social activities, family and friends. This may be more obvious after eating or when others comment on their eating behaviours and/or appearance.
Physical symptoms: Feeling light-headed, tired/lethargic, and/or easily cold. Changes in sleeping patterns. Girls/women may stop menstruating or develop an irregular cycle.
Psychological signs: Low self-esteem, anxiety, low mood, irritability and feeling like life is out of control, may also accompany an eating disorder.
If someone you care about is displaying abnormal or disturbed eating habits, is avoiding eating, and/or is anxiously preoccupied with food, body weight or body shape, consider the possibility that they may be struggling with an eating disorder. Let the person know you are concerned about them in a calm, caring and clear manner. While you can be supportive and caring, it is also important that you encourage them to seek help from a trained professional. Consider talking to your GP or paediatrician in the first instance if it is your child you are concerned about.
Further information:
The Butterfly Foundation (https://thebutterflyfoundation.org.au)
Diets Don't Work
The science is well and truly in – diets don’t work! While going on a diet may give you results in the short-term, the change is both stressful for the body and unsustainable in the long-term.
If you are above the most healthy and comfortable weight for you, there is nothing wrong with wanting to lose weight. However, it is important you go about it in the right way – to look after your emotional and physical wellbeing and make changes that both work with your lifestyle, and are sustainable.
The number of fad diets and conflicting advice (because it’s a multimillion dollar industry!!) is so confusing it can be easy to be overwhelmed. If it was simply a matter of knowing about nutrition and exercise, there would not be as many people struggling with their weight today. There is much more to the picture, and that is where psychology can help.
Here are my seven top tips (backed by science) for achieving and maintaining your most healthy and comfortable weight:
1. Focus on Healthy Behaviours
Evidence shows that it is healthy behaviours, rather than the achievement of any particular weight, that determines optimal health. So set small goals that fit in to your lifestyle and are in line with your values.
2. Every Body is Different
Genetics, metabolism, age, gender, hormones, blood chemicals, attitudes, beliefs, past behaviours, how we feel about ourselves and the amount of activity we do all influence our weight. And these variables affect everyone differently. Stop comparing yourself to others, and focus on accepting yourself and achieving the most healthy and comfortable weight for you.
3. Forget About Numbers
There are so many reasons why having a ‘goal weight’ is unhelpful. Aim for specific, individual and sustainable changes in behaviour instead, like increasing your activity or level of mindful eating.
4. Track Your Non-Hungry Eating
Some non-hungry eating is completely appropriate and normal. However for many people, eating in the absence of hunger can be a significant factor contributing to being above their most healthy and comfortable weight. Simply paying more attention to the reasons you are eating can be a powerful step forwards in changing your relationship with food and weight.
5. Ditch the Moral Dimension to Food
There is no such thing as ‘good’ food and ‘bad’ food. Thinking in those terms sets you up for the restrict/binge cycle, adds unnecessary emotional stress and destroys self-love. Instead, think about how your body uses food and work towards establishing what is the most appropriate eating pattern for you.
6. Savour Your Meals
As much as possible, try to sit down and eat your meals and snacks slowly and without distraction. Put your cutlery down between mouthfuls, and treat eating as an opportunity for mindfulness – relishing the sensory properties of your culinary experience!
7. Be Patient
The journey towards achieving and maintaining your most healthy and comfortable weight can take time. Surround yourself with reliable sources of information, supportive people, and loads of self-compassion.
If you’re struggling in your relationship with food and your body, a clinical psychologist can support you with the knowledge and skills to help.
Building Positive Body Image
Body dissatisfaction has almost become a cultural norm in Western society. Body dissatisfaction is the top ranked issue of concern for young people (Mission Australia, 2016). Body image issues affect people of all ages, and have increased worldwide, especially with the acceleration of technology.
This pervasive problem is concerning, because overvaluing body image in defining ones self-worth is one of the risk factors which makes some people less resilient to eating disorders than others.
Our media culture perpetuates unrealistic and highly edited images of the ‘ideal’ body. We are exposed to 5000 messages per day that reinforce the thin ideal. How do you feel about your body after scrolling through your Instagram feed? Eric Stice’s research has developed a pathway from the media portrayal of the thin ideal to the development of eating disorders. Exposure of the thin ideal in the media leads to the internalization of this message in 80-90% of individuals (whether they’re aware of it or not). Body dissatisfaction then develops as a result of this in 80% of those individuals. It is estimated that 5-6% of the population develop a clinical eating disorder, with body dissatisfaction being the biggest predictor.
People experiencing body dissatisfaction can become fixated on trying to change their body shape, which can lead to unhealthy practices with food and exercise. These practices don’t usually achieve the desired outcome (physically or emotionally) and can result in intense feelings of disappointment, shame and guilt. Ultimately, the endpoint can be an increased risk of developing an eating disorder.
The key to a healthy relationship with your body is a balanced approach to food and exercise
Developing a positive relationship with your body is such a critical process for fostering wellbeing. Here are our top tips for building a positive body image:
