How do I know if it's an Eating Disorder?

Tracy Narins Welchoff, Ph.D.

Licensed Psychiologist.

Things you may notice:

• Preoccupation with food, calories, weight
• Distorted body image (seeing oneself as  fat when not overweight)
• Disappearing at mealtimes or only eating alone
• Food rituals (such as cutting food into tiny pieces or making strange food mixtures)
• Constipation/diarrhea/bloating
• Sensitivity to cold
• Sleep disturbance/ fatigue
• High caffeine intake
• Sore throat/ chest pain
• Secretive behavior, mood changes 
• Compulsive exercise
• Preoccupation with cooking for others but not eating
• Hoarding food
• Avoiding (or severely limiting) entire food groups, such as fats or carbs
• Wearing baggy clothing 

Medical Signs of an Eating Disorder:
• Weight loss or dramatic weight fluctuation
• Slow heart rate, low blood pressure, or drop in blood pressure upon standing
• Restlessness/ inability to sit still or chronic low energy
• Irregular or absent menstrual periods
• Decreased bone density
• Severe dehydration
• Dry skin, thinning hair
• Growth or thickening of hair on arms, cheeks, or other unusual areas
• Easy bruising
• Muscle loss
• Dizziness, Light-headedness, fatigue, weakness, or fainting
• Dental problems and/or bad breath
• Scrapes on the knuckles
• Broken facial blood vessels and/or puffy cheeks
• Electrolyte imbalance due to loss of potassium, sodium, and chloride through purging

This list is by no means exhaustive, and eating disorder sufferers generally do not show all of these symptoms.  Weight may be average, above, or below average.  It is not always possible to tell if someone has an eating disorder just by appearance.  A thorough evaluation by a trained professional is necessary to make a diagnosis, assess the severity, and help formulate a treatment plan.  The Primary Care Provider is an excellent person to consult, and Dr. Welchoff  is always happy to help with consultation, assessment, treatment planning, treatment, and referrals.  All inquiries are welcome and will be handled promptly and confidentially.   
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