Using this eating disorder screening tool, you can quickly determine if you or someone you know is struggling. This list of 5 questions will indicate common eating disorder symptoms.

Do you ever want to get rid of your food because you feel too full?

Clearly this question will indicate bulimic behaviors. It is important to note, you do not necessarily have to make yourself vomit in order to be bulimic. There are many other ways a person tries to get rid of food when they feel they have overeaten. These methods include: exercise, laxative use, restriction, etc.

Do you feel out of control with food?

It is very typical to feel out of control with food when you have an eating disorder. This feeling is associated with bulimia, binge eating, and compulsive overeating disorders. It is important to seek help if you or someone you know is feeling like this.

Have you lost 15 pounds recently, particularly in a 3 month period?

Rapid weight loss is characteristic of anorexia. Excessive weight loss can come from any starting weight. You may find someone engaging in these behaviors who is not actually underweight by medical standards. A person may appear healthy if they start from a weight about ideal body weight range. A person who has had rapid weight loss like this needs to get treatment, regardless of their current weight.

Do others say you look fine, but you still see yourself as fat?

This question is also important even if others are not saying you are too thin, but even just fine or not fat. If what you see in yourself is very different from what others see, there is a good chance you are struggling with some level of body dysmorphic disorder. It is important to get appropriate help with this disorder as it can be very destructive to your life.

Is your life dominated by a focus on food?

All types of eating disorders will struggle with this issue. When struggling with an eating disorder, a person’s thoughts will be consumed with a focus on body and food. A person cannot enjoy their life when they are wrapped up in constant distracting thoughts about food. The world around them will go unnoticed and unexperienced when a person can think of nothing else.

If you answer yes to two or more of the above questions, chances are you may be struggling with an eating disorder. It is critical to seek help for eating disorder behavior. While some people are able to overcome the behaviors on their own, the true underlying issues must be addressed. If you or someone you know is struggling with any of the above issues, please seek help immediately.

Tags: Eating Disorders