Alester Brown

Four Signs Someone May Be Struggling with an Eating Disorder

Eating disorders are serious issues that could severely impact someone's mental and physical health. These conditions are more common than people realize, plaguing about three percent of all teenagers and four percent of adults.

Unfortunately, people who suffer from eating disorders often do a fine job of hiding it. So how do you identify when someone needs help? Here are common signs that indicate your friend or loved one needs counseling for eating disorders.

Changing Moods

Eating disorders can cause extreme mood swings. It's a byproduct of extreme food habits mixed with the stress and anxiety of the condition. The individual might show more signs of irritability.

They could also become socially withdrawn. Depression and chronic fatigue are both common issues.

Infatuation with Body Image

Weight and body image often occupy the mind when dealing with eating disorders. Individuals sometimes focus all their mental energy thinking about weight and food. They could spend their time talking about how celebrities look.

Meanwhile, you might spot them staring at their bodies in the mirror while negatively commenting on their appearance. That could evolve into obsessive behavior surrounding weight. For example, the person might weigh themselves frequently, talk non-stop about dieting, and more.

Controlling Behavior Around Food

A need for control over food is a common thread with eating disorders. Whether it's anorexia or binge-eating, individuals must have some semblance of control over food experiences.

Your friend or loved one might act out when things go wrong or change. They could get angry at restaurants because they have no control over what's going into the meal.

Interestingly, that quest for control can lead to an affinity for food prep. Instead of relying on food at restaurants or family dinners, they create meals to monitor their caloric intake.

A Change in Exercise Habits

Finally, eating disorders can lead to extreme changes in their workout routine. The individual may spend more time working out and meticulously monitoring the number of calories they burn. The obsessions can get so bad that they get anxious when unable to exercise.

If someone in your life is showing these red flags, reach out and lend support. Recommend that they seek counseling for eating disorders. You could end up saving their life.

Author Resource:-

Alester Brown writes about physiotherapy. She advises people on health care, online therapy, anxiety discussion groups & depression message boards. You can find her thoughts at depression forum blog.