"Nothing is predestined: The obstacles of your past can become the gateways that lead to new beginnings."
Ralph Blum
Warning signs may be difficult to tease out due to societal and cultural standards of beauty and normal weight and size. That being the case, often times eating disorders go unnoticed, or individuals "fly under the radar," for an extended period of time. The following is a list of indicators that should be evaluated when such behaviors become a normal part of one's everyday routine.
Reduced/skipped meals or overeating
Ritualistic eating (rules, makes excuses for behavior, no appetite, etc.)
Limits food choices
Gradually removes proteins and fats from diet
Frequent teeth brushing and showering
Awareness that packages of food are missing
Use of diuretics or appetite suppressants
Frequent dieting
Unusual body image remarks and complaints about size
Wears baggy clothes and/or in layers
Overly critical about body
Dissatisfied with any amount of weight loss
Spends extended periods of time in front of mirror
Excessive weighing
Excessive and rigid exercise routine regardless of injury
Forgoes personal obligations to increase work-out time
Easily aroused if s/he has to sit for extended periods of time
Uses sport-aids high in caffeine to increase fat burning process
Thinks in unrealistic and irrational manner
Perfectionist regarding expectations and stops at nothing until goals are achieved
Problem concentrating
Obsesses about food intake while counting numbers (calories) in their head
Denies sensation of anger or fear, yet easily agitated and overwhelmed
Denies self pleasure Withdraws socially from friends and family
Feels unworthy, anxious, depressed, guilty and incapable of measuring up
May engage in self-harm measures (cutting, purging, etc.)
Overtly a "people-pleaser"
Overly dependent/independent Sexually promiscuous/lacks sexual interest
Craves intimacy yet steers clear of it
A combination of these symptoms may require professional attention. When exhibited concurrently with other conditions (e.g., substance abuse, post traumatic stress disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, depression, borderline personality disorder, etc.) it may be necessary to contact a professional.
"Nothing is predestined: The obstacles of your past can become the gateways that lead to new beginnings."
A combination of these symptoms may require professional attention. When exhibited concurrently with other conditions (e.g., substance abuse, post traumatic stress disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, depression, borderline personality disorder, etc.) it may be necessary to contact a professional.