How do I know if my child is struggling with an eating disorder?

Less than 10% of people struggling with eating disorders are clinically underweight.

Those who appear drastically different in size and shape within a short period of time are easier to identify as someone with a problem compared to those who remain within an acceptable weight range. Of course society’s acceptable weight range continues to drop forcing many to feel unacceptable and overweight even when they are not. This acceptance of an extremely thin ideal also makes it difficult to identify those who are struggling.  Individuals with eating disorders will suffer in silence as their new “clean” eating and intense fitness regimen wreak havoc in their gut and brain.

Detecting an eating disorder is actually more about noticing changes in attitude and behaviors related to food, size, and weight. Here are several indicators that your loved one may be struggling:

OBSESSING

over “clean” eating —They refuse to eat a list of certain foods. They become anxious over social settings which include food. They cut out entire food groups. They adopt vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free or dairy-free with no rational or medical reasoning.

WITHDRAWAL

from family celebrations and holiday meals. Once enjoyable cooking and eating traditions are turned away for “health” reasons.

INTENSE MULTIPLE DAILY WORKOUTS

They will run extremely long distances, participate in multiple strenuous workout classes per day moving from one studio to another (SoulCycle, Orangetheory, boxing), train even with injuries or illness.

GI DISTRESS

They will complain of GI pain from constipation or acid reflux.

HIDING FOOD

Those struggling with binge eating will hide food and wrappers in obscure places.

ABUSING MEDICATIONS

They will create false learning disorders in order to obtain Adderall, suddenly require a higher dosage or “spill” their meds in order to obtain more. They may be purchasing laxatives and diuretics.

ABUSING DRUGS & ALC

Stimulants help to suppress appetite. Depressants help with sleep. Overall they are self-medicating to ease the pain of shame involved with eating disorders or may have experienced trauma.

OVERALL NEGATIVE SELF-IMAGE AND SELF ESTEEM

Their photos are never good enough. Their clothes size is never small enough. They obsess over specific parts of their body and constantly compare their bodies to those on social media.

OVERALL CHANGE IN PERSONALITY

Eating disorders almost always have co-occurring mood disorders. OCD, anxiety, and depression are prevalent among those struggling with anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder.

This list is not complete and every individual presents with their own unique struggles. They are not alone and recovery is possible.