Think you may have (or are developing) an eating disorder?
If you are experiencing concerns around your eating habits, a fixation over body image (presenting in many forms including the urge to lose weight or obsessions with ‘bulking up’ and the need to be muscular/conditioned), a preoccupation that you need to be ‘thin,’ or engaging in unhelpful behaviours to control your weight, please don’t ignore or trivialise your concerns and be honest with yourself.
Eating disorders are unique to each individual and can look very different from person to person. They are NOT defined by appearance or weight, and can affect absolutely anyone whatever their age, gender, sexuality, race, and culture.
Do NOT be fooled into thinking you can’t have an eating disorder because you do not fit the stereotypical profile that many have been programmed to believe.
Below is a list of questions you could ask yourself. If you answer ‘yes’ to one or more of them it does not necessarily mean you have an eating disorder but could indicate early signs of a problem.
You may consider keeping a close eye on your eating habits and body image concerns over time, revisiting the below questions periodically to monitor and identify any escalating symptoms.
How do I know if I’m showing signs of an eating disorder?
Questions to ask myself (honestly):
- Are you experiencing a marked fixation over your weight, body shape, or appearance?
- Have you engaged in behaviours to actively try to change your body shape or weight?
- Do thoughts about food, eating, calories, or your body take up a large amount of your day?
- Do you feel guilty, ashamed, or anxious after eating?
- Do you avoid certain foods, food groups, or eating situations because of fear or distress?
- Have you been restricting how much you eat, skipping meals, or setting strict food rules for yourself?
- Have you experienced episodes where you feel out of control around food?
- Have you used behaviours such as vomiting, excessive exercise, fasting, or other methods to compensate for eating?
- Has your eating pattern become more rigid or controlled over time?
- Do you feel distressed if your eating routine or exercise routine changes unexpectedly?
- Have you withdrawn from social situations involving food or eating?
- Do you avoid eating around other people?
- Do you frequently compare your body to others?
- Does your self-worth feel strongly connected to your weight, shape, eating habits, or appearance?
- Have family members, friends, or loved ones expressed concern about your eating, weight loss, exercise habits, or relationship with food?
- Have you noticed changes in your mood, concentration, energy levels, or daily functioning related to food or eating concerns?
- Do you feel you must “earn” food through exercise or compensate for eating?
- Do you experience intense fear around gaining weight or losing control over food?
- Do you feel trapped in repetitive thoughts or behaviours related to food, eating, or your body?
- Do you feel that your relationship with food or your body is negatively affecting your quality of life?
Speaking with a qualified professional may help you better understand what you’re going through, and they can direct you to the resources and services best suited to your needs.
Please do not struggle alone and seek advice and support as soon as possible if you have any concerns, obsessions, or distress around food, weight, and/or shape. It may just save your life -and not just in a literal sense.
