What are the signs of someone who has a eating disorder.?

Answer 1

Eating Disorders are usually very secretive and you may find that you haven't noticed many of the signs below. Some of these signs will only be visible if you live with your friend or family member and even then, someone with an eating disorder may be very clever at hiding it from you. You may want to talk to another friend or family member and see if they've noticed anything. The more people that are concerned for your friend or family member, the more likely it is your friend or family member will realise they have a problem.

Emotions & Thoughts
Do they…
believe they are fat when they are not
wish they were thinner or a different shape
have black and white thinking about food. ie good food & bad food
have low self esteem
have a need for perfection
have periods of depression
become very irritable and argumentative - especially around food and meal times
think in extremes eg. "if I'm not thin, I'll be grossly obese"
seem very anxious around food
deny or minimise the seriousness of their behaviour
seem unhappy about their current size or body shape
Are they…

over-sensitive to criticism
extremely concerned about their appearance, both physical and behavioral
more anxious than in the past (especially around situations that include eating)
Physical Signs of Starvation
Have you noticed…
a significant weight loss (although this doesn't always happen)
the hair on their head thinning or losing more than normal eg. More hair than usual in the shower after washing their hair
the appearance of fine raised hair on their body (lanugo)
their skin being pale and dry
their periods being irregular or have stopped all together
Physical Signs of Bingeing and Purging
Have you noticed…
their weight fluctuating up and down
their cheeks being puffy
their eyes being red
scars on their knuckles from sticking their fingers down their throat
Behaviours around Food
If they are restricting their intake (not eating much) you may have noticed the following behaviours. Do they…

refuse to eat or only eat tiny amounts
say they feel full after eating only a small amount of food
frequently say they are not hungry
seem obsessed with food
spend lots of time looking at recipes
cook for others but not eat themselves
become very concerned and 'worried' about what others are eating
count calories or measure food quantities
talk about food a lot
only eat particular types of food or at certain times
claim they have a dislike of or are allergic to particular foods (especially red meat, carbohydrates, sweets and fatty foods) so they don't have to eat them
only eat diet or non-fat foods
have difficulty choosing foods to eat
prefer foods of a certain colour or texture
compulsively arrange their food before eating it
cut food up into tiny pieces
eat with a teaspoon
mix their foods together before eating them
only eat one type of food at a time
add lots of condiments (salt, pepper, relish, mustard, vinegar) to their food
eat extremely slowly
eat food in a specific sequence
If they are binge eating you may have noticed the following behaviours. Do they…

hide food in their room or a separate cupboard ready for a binge
hide food wrappers around the house so no-one finds them
find it hard to explain where money in the flat account went
often go for walks to find, buy or steal food
fast or restrict food between binges
If they are purging you may have noticed the following behaviours.
Do they…

vomit after eating ie. go the bathroom immediately after meals
use laxatives, diuretics or enemas to try to lose weight
feel anxious if they are unable to vomit after eating
Behaviours around eating
Often people with eating disorders display very specific behaviours around meal times. Do they...

refuse to eat with others
feel very anxious about eating in public
eat different foods from everyone else
eat food at different times to everyone else
not talk much (or talk heaps) during meals
leave the table frequently during meals (especially to go the bathroom)
secretly dispose of food during the meal (wrapping it in a napkin, wiping it on the underside of plate, feeding it to the dog, putting it in pockets)
drink heaps of water (at meals, before meals or during the day)
lie to people about how much they have eaten
Other signs
Finally you may have noticed the following signs. Do they…

deny being ill or underweight
frequently weigh themselves
avoid social interaction so as to avoid food
exercise excessively
get upset when things aren't how they'd like them to be
wear baggy clothes
abuse alcohol or drugs
buy diet books or get them out of the library
seem very secretive (esp around what they have eaten)
have a decreased interest in sex
have trouble sleeping
have problems concentrating
have memory problems
have difficulty comprehending information
have difficulty making decisions
have difficulty with money from spending lots on food
shoplift food or laxatives or steal money to buy food
Remember there are many different types of eating disorders. Every person's pattern and experience of an eating disorder is unique.

Answer 2

Depression
Lack of confidence
Obsessed with food
Obsessed with their appearance
Hardly eating
Overeating
Knowledge of calories and what food has what
Exercises a lot
Always goes to the toilet after a meal
Bad breath/teeth
Pale skin
Headaches
Weakness
Sleeps a lot

There are many different types of eating disorder, you're friend could have one or several symptoms.
She may not even think she has a problem.

Answer 3

it really depends on the eating disorder. common signs are diminished appetite, going to the bathroom immediately after consuming food, throwing up frequently stomachaches, headaches, these are signs of a person that is hungry and maybe suffering from an eating disorder.

Answer 4

Chances are they will refuse to eat or visit a bathroom right after they do. Sudden weight loss/gain. Depression. Constantly saying they are "too fat/too thin" If they were very sociable before, they stay in more often. Constantly comparing their body with someone elses - particularly someone famous.

Answer 5

I believe that you are uneducated about dieting. Eat normally, just make healthier choices and use good portion control. Also, drink lots of water. (Which you're already doing.) Keep in mind, over 99% of people who go on diets gain even more weight back than their original weight. There's a possibility that you'll get back up to 194+ It's happened to me. And it sucks. Good luck. :)

Answer 6

It all depends on the eating disorder. Is it anorexia, buliemia or what. A person with anorexia will refuse to eat, they always think they are fat. A person with buliemia will excuse themselves after eating to go to the bathroom and vomit. A binge eater will eat and eat and then vomit. Watch your friend closely. Advise them to seek help

Answer 7

After they eat they visit the bathroom alot. They are losing weight rapidly. They are obsessed with being skiny. They always have a lot of clothes on because they are cold. They are sick most of teh time.

Answer 8

Loss or rapid changes in appetite, unwillingness to eat, obsessive eating, or any sudden change in eating habits.

Answer 9

most of the times they remain in toilets

Answer 10

They are fat......or they are too thin and smell like puke.

Answer 11

Either too fat or too thin.