Eating disorders are complex illnesses rooted in mental and emotional struggles. They’re not choices or diets—they’re conditions that need treatment. Recognizing eating disorder symptoms can empower you to help yourself or someone you love.
These disorders often involve:
- Food restriction
- Binge eating
- Purging behaviors
- Body image distress
While symptoms may start off minor or subtle, they can escalate quickly. Teens and young adults are especially at risk, but can be helped significantly by specialized teen therapy.
Early intervention is critical—recognizing the signs of an eating disorder early leads to better treatment outcomes and long-term recovery. Just like anxiety and depression, eating disorders are real mental health struggles that deserve professional treatment and support.
Most Common Eating Disorder Symptoms & Signs
People who are suffering from an eating disorder often display consistent symptoms that can help you recognize what’s going on and intervene to get them help.
Emotional and Behavioral Signs
Eating disorders often reveal themselves through noticeable changes in mood and behavior.
These red flags may include:
- Preoccupation with calories, food, or body image
- Skipping meals or creating excuses to avoid eating
- Eating rituals, such as cutting food into tiny pieces or rearranging food
- Withdrawing from friends, family, or social events
- Mood swings, irritability, or anxiety tied to meals or appearance
- Secrecy, such as eating in isolation or hiding food
These behaviors are often persistent and may escalate if left unaddressed.
Physical Symptoms
Many eating disorders also lead to visible physical changes, including:
- Fluctuating weight—sudden loss or gain
- Chronic fatigue, dizziness, or fainting spells
- Brittle nails, hair loss, or dry skin
- Irregular or missed periods, especially in teens and women
Types of Eating Disorders and How to Recognize Them
There are multiple different kinds of eating disorders, and not all of them are what you might imagine. Here are some of the most common types of eating disorders, symptoms, and how to recognize them:
Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia nervosa is a serious eating disorder marked by an intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted body image. People with anorexia severely restrict food intake, often to the point of starvation.
Someone struggling with anorexia may:
- Rigidly limit calories or entire food groups
- Engage in excessive exercise, even when injured or exhausted
- Maintain a below-normal body weight but still feel or call themself “fat”
The condition can cause significant medical complications and often goes unnoticed due to secrecy or denial.
Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia nervosa involves repeated cycles of binge eating followed by behaviors to avoid weight gain. These purging actions are usually hidden or secretive. Common signs include:
- Binge eating large quantities of food in a short time
- Purging through vomiting, laxatives, fasting, or over-exercising
- Often maintaining a “normal” weight, masking the disorder
Emotional distress, guilt, and secrecy are typical between episodes.
Binge Eating Disorder
Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is characterized by frequent episodes of consuming large amounts of food, often rapidly and in secret.
Unlike bulimia, there’s no purging afterward.
People with BED may:
- Feel out of control during eating episodes
- Experience shame, guilt, or depression after binges
- Struggle with weight gain and related health issues
Binge eating disorder is the most common eating disorder across genders.
ARFID
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder isn’t about body image. Instead, it includes:
- Extreme pickiness or food avoidance
- Fear of choking, vomiting, or certain textures
- More common in children, but can persist into teen years and even adulthood
Can result in nutritional deficits and weight loss.
OSFED, Orthorexia, and Other Variants
These eating disorders don’t fit into standard categories but are still serious:
- OSFED includes mixed symptoms of anorexia or bulimia
- Orthorexia is an unhealthy obsession with “pure” eating
- Diabulimia involves insulin restriction in people with diabetes
Each of these disorders requires medical and psychological support.
When to Seek Help
The earlier an eating disorder is recognized, the better the chances of recovery. Delaying treatment can lead to serious medical and emotional complications.
Because many symptoms are hidden or minimized, it’s important to:
- Trust your instincts
- Take action if something feels off
- Get screened even if you’re unsure
Early help saves lives. If you recognize these symptoms in yourself or someone you know, please contact a therapist and ask about treatment options and resources.
Eating Disorder Treatment
Treatment options include:
- Therapy for underlying emotional issues
- Medical care to manage physical health
- Nutritional counseling to rebuild healthy eating habits
With the right support, full recovery from an eating disorder is absolutely possible!
Talk to David Ejchorszt, A Licensed Therapist
If you or someone close to you is showing signs of an eating disorder, don’t ignore it. Reach out as soon as possible.
Schedule an assessment with David Ejchorszt today—take the first step toward understanding, support, and long-term healing.
FAQs
What is the most common eating disorder?
Binge Eating Disorder (BED) affects the most people across all ages and genders. It often goes undiagnosed due to shame or misunderstanding.
Are eating disorders a mental illness?
Yes. They are classified as mental health disorders in the DSM-5 and require clinical attention. They often coexist with anxiety, depression, or trauma.
Can someone have an eating disorder without being underweight?
Absolutely. Many people with eating disorders are at a “normal” or higher weight, yet still face serious health risks.
What are some signs of an eating disorder in teens?
Watch for:
- Skipping meals
- Obsessive exercise
- Mood swings
- Secrecy around food
- Drastic weight changes
Is help available even if I’m unsure I qualify?
Yes. Early screening is encouraged—even mild symptoms deserve professional support.
