Women's Counseling Network

Eating Disorders

Eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia and compulsive overeating are potentially life-threatening psychological disorders. Most individuals with eating disorders need professional help in order to fully recover and return to optimal mental and physical health. The following is a list of some of the symptoms of eating disorders:

Binge-eating (e.g., eating large amounts of food at one sitting, usually eating in an out-of-control manner, eating the foods in secret)

Vomiting or using laxatives in order to try to counteract weight gain

Significant weight loss due to dieting, resulting in amenorrhoea (loss of menstruation) or body weight of more than 10% below ideal weight

Frequently not eating even when hungry

Change in eating habits such that many foods and/or food groups are eliminated on the basis of fear of weight gain (e.g., cutting out all fats or proteins)

Counting calories and/or fat grams at every meal

Stepping on the scale and weighing self more than once a day

Frequently eating when not hungry, resulting in weight gain (e.g., eating when bored, lonely, tired, etc.)

Feeling chronically dissatisfied with your body shape and/or weight (e.g., frequently feeling "fat")

Compulsively overexercising (e.g., can't go a day without exercising, exercising more than and hour at a time on a regular basis, exercising when injured or in pain)

Obsessing about food, weight or exercise throughout the day

If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, you may have an eating disorder. You can find out by seeking a consultation with a mental health professional, preferably someone with experience in the diagnosis and treatment of eating disorders.