Are you at Risk for an Eating Disorder?

Overview
Eating disorders are a group of mental health disorders in which a person has an abnormal body image, is abnormally preoccupied with their eating habits and her desire to be thin. Girls are more likely than boys to be affected, with the teen years being the most likely time of onset for this illness. The two most common types of eating disorders are anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Anorexia is characterized by a disturbed body image, fear of gaining weight and significant caloric restriction. Many women with anorexia eventually stop menstruating. Bulimia is characterized by binge eating followed by purging, either through vomiting or through excessive exercise. Below are some questions to help you determine if you have an eating disorder or are at risk for developing an eating disorder.


Do you obsess about food and feel ashamed about your present body size or weight?
Do you vomit or take diet pills or laxatives for an extended period of time or in excess of directed use?
Do you ever starve yourself?
Do you feel guilty or punish yourself after you eat?
Do you start a new diet every morning, or every week?
Do you exercise excessively?
Do you spend increasingly more time in the bathroom?
Do you avoid discussing food?
Do you weigh yourself daily or more than once a day?
Do you feel depressed and isolated?
Do you avoid social activities or mandatory functions such as school or work in order to maintain your daily regimen of diet and exercise?
Do you experience frequent mood swings?
If you are a woman, have you had interruptions in your menstrual cycle or an absence of your period?

Treatment
If you or someone you know exhibits any of these behaviors, then an eating disorder or susceptibility to an eating disorder is possible. Please contact your healthcare provider for a thorough evaluation and possible treatment. Your provider may suggest psychotherapy along with possible anti-depressant therapy.