Eating Disorders

What you might experience…

The phrase “eating disorder” can actually describe quite a variety of conditions but we hope that in this section we have identified some of the signs that could show if there is a problem. Some of these most people would know but a lot of them could be difficult to notice from the outside or even as a sufferer.

BEHAVIOURAL SIGNS

• Skipping meals

• Exercising excessively

• Starting to take an interest in nutrition, health and weight

• Playing with food

• Being obsessive with the way you eat

• Dishonesty

• Losing your concentration

• Losing interest in sex/sexuality

PHYSICAL SIGNS

• Rapid change in your weight – losing or gaining weight (a lot of people assume that an eating disorder is only when your losing weight but it can be a rapid gain in weight)

• Being constantly cold

• Dry, brittle hair and nails

• Losing muscle

• Hollowed cheeks

• Yellowing nails

• Stunted growth

• Problems with your digestion

• Pain in your stomach

SOCIAL SIGNS

• Withdrawing from social situations – especially activities which could involve food and drink

• Losing interest in things you used to enjoy

PSYCOLOGICAL SIGNS

• Criticising yourself

• Becoming obsessive

• Feeling down or depressed

• Becoming more stressed, anxious or panicky