Less than 6% of people with eating disorders are medically underweight, according to The Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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 & ALCOHOL
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.
If your child needs more support on your eating disorder recovery journey, I would be honored to work with you. Please contact me here for 1:1 private eating disorder recovery coaching.
Merrit Elizabeth Stahle is an Eating Disorder Recovery Coach certified by The Carolyn Costin Institute. She holds a master’s degree in Health Promotion Management and a certification in Applied Neuroscience. With many years of experience, she has worked with hundreds of clients, parents, and treatment team members to support lasting recovery. Fully recovered herself, she combines professional training with lived experience to help women rebuild trust, confidence, and freedom around food and body.
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