How Do I Know When to Get Help for an Eating Disorder?
Some people skip meals on an extreme diet but anorexia and bulimia are progressive disorders that are worth discussing with a clinical professional at any level.
Depending on your daily schedule, you may skip a meal here or there, or find yourself eating more than you normally would. These things alone don’t necessarily point to an eating disorder, such as bulimia or anorexia, but when combined with other symptoms may require a diagnosis.
The diagnosis of an eating disorder depends on the specific symptoms you are experiencing, as each disorder has its own set of symptoms. There is even a category for Eating Disorders not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS) for those eating disorders that cannot be classified as anorexia or bulimia. If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, it may be a sign that you should get some professional advice to determine if you need eating disorder treatment. The Rose is affiliated with The Victorian of Newport Beach which is one of the best eating disorder treatment facilities in the world . You can call the Victorian at 888-268-9182 for a free consultation about symptoms of anorexia or bulimia.
Warning Sign 1: You Are Constantly on a Diet
People often want to lose a few pounds or fit into those jeans that they wore in high school. But if you find yourself constantly on a diet, worrying about everything you put into your mouth and overly concerned with how you look, you may have an eating disorder. People diagnosed with eating disorders are often obsessed with how their bodies look and will do anything necessary – including starving themselves, purging or exercising constantly – in order to keep even a few pounds off.
Warning Sign 2: You Have Become Secretive About Your Eating Habits
If you have an eating disorder, you may become secretive about your eating practices so that people won’t see you behaving abnormally. You may hide or steal food, avoid eating in public or around others, or make excuses to avoid meals. If you are having trouble eating meals in front of other people or have become embarrassed about your eating habits, it may be a sign that you have an eating disorder.
Warning Sign 3: You Are Experiencing Physical Changes
The physical symptoms of eating disorders can come on slowly, but can be dangerous. They include the following:
• Heart palpitations and/or chest pains
• Fainting spells, blackouts or dizziness
• Chronic lower back pain
• Headaches or lightheadedness
• Numbness in face or other parts of the body
• Joint pain
• Escalated blood pressure or cholesterol
• Disruption in menstrual cycle and/or irregularity
• Blurred vision
• Stomach cramping
• Fatigue
Where to Get Treatment for an Eating Disorder
Though the above are only a few of the symptoms of eating disorders that you may experience, they are some of the more obvious signs that you may have anorexia, bulimia or other disordered eating. Eating disorders are often a result of an underlying issue that can be addressed during treatment for an eating disorder.
Once you have been diagnosed with an eating disorder, research the options for treating your disorder, which may include therapy or spending time at a residential treatment center that specializes in eating disorders.
Effective treatment for anorexia, bulimia or binge eating disorder can help you recover from your symptoms while learning to maintain a healthy relationship with food.
