10 Signs Someone You Love May Have An Eating Disorder
It can feel heart-wrenching to watch them slip into an eating disorder without fully realising what’s happening. Many eating disorder carers share that they wished they had recognised the signs earlier.
As parents and carers, we want to do all that we can to help and prevent their health and well-being from worsening. We know from research that catching eating disorder behaviours early and seeking support can make a real difference in getting your loved one the help they need before things worsen.
Early signs of eating disorders can be subtle and therefore difficult to spot, and one alarming behaviour on its own doesn’t necessarily mean there’s a problem. But when several of these signs occur together, it may be time to seek support.
Look out for these signs someone you love may have an eating disorder
1. Dieting or restrictive eating
- Fasting or skipping meals
- Cutting out entire food groups (e.g., sugar, carbs, fats, dairy) Counting calories/kilojoules
- Weighing food, measuring portions
- Suddenly adopting restrictive diets (e.g., vegan, vegetarian) without prior interest or adequate alternatives
- Crash or fad dieting
- Rigid rules about what, how or when they will eat
- Preparing or planning food for others without eating themselves
- Avoiding eating with others
2. Preoccupation with exercise
- Rigid exercise routine that will cause distress if disrupted
- Exercising despite illness, injury, or extreme weather
- Constant use of fitness trackers or apps, with anxiety or guilt if targets aren’t met
- Exercising to “earn” food or “punish” themselves for eating (e.g., “I’m going to have to hit the gym after this pasta” or ‘Thank goodness I exercised today, now I can eat this pasta”)
3. Secrecy or concealment
- Eating in private or hiding food
- Hoarding food for later bingeing
- Lying about having eaten or exercised
- Avoidance of eating meals by giving excuses (e.g., claiming they have a food intolerance/allergy)
- Disposing of food secretly (e.g., throwing away)
4. Preoccupation with health
- Intense focus on “clean” or “health” eating
- Strong interest in detoxes, cleanses or wellness fads
- Preoccupation with “healthy” recipes, meal prep, or supplements
- Avoiding social meals under the guise of health choices
5. Neglect of health or self-care
- Smoking, excessive caffeine, or substance use to suppress appetite or in place of meals
- Self-harm or risky behaviours
- Sedentary lifestyle due to extreme low energy
6. Physical signs
- Weight loss, frequent weight changes, or persistent low weight
- Fatigue, dizziness, fainting, or low energy
- Loss or disturbance of menstruation
- Swollen cheeks, calluses on knuckles, damage to teeth, bad breath (indicators of self-induced vomiting or starvation)
- Digestive issues such as bloating or constipation
- Frequent illness due to lowered immunity
- Trouble sleeping
- Feeling cold even in warm environments
- Hair thinning or hair loss
7. Changes in bathroom habits
Bathroom use could be an indication of laxative or diuretic use, or vomiting
- Frequent or prolonged trips to the bathroom after meals
- Long showers after eating
8. Changes in socialising
- Avoiding social events that involve food
- Isolating from friends and family to adhere to diet/exercise routines
- Increasing social activity as a way to avoid meals at home
- Withdrawal from previously enjoyed activities or hobbies
9. Mood changes
- Irritability, anger, or defensiveness when discussing foods, weight or exercise
- Heightened anxiety around mealtimes
- Low self-esteem, shame or guilt
- Depression, sadness, or flat mood
- Mood swings or frequent tearfulness
10. Body image concerns
- Distorted views of their body (e.g., complaining of being, feeling or looking fat when actually a healthy weight or underweight)
- Body-checking behaviours e.g., measuring body parts, frequent mirror checking, looking at reflection in windows/objects, repeated weighing of self, pinching waist or wrists
- Expressing an intense fear of gaining weight
- Wearing baggy clothing to hide body shape
- Following ‘thinspo/fitspo’ or weight-loss content online or in media
Additional resources:
- Diagnosis to-do list – EDFA’s comprehensive step-by-step guide for carers who suspect a loved one may have an eating disorder or who have just received a diagnosis, offering practical guidance to prepare for and navigate the early days of caring for their loved ones.
- Eating Disorder Help FAQs
- Looking for an eating disorder clinician? A great place to look is the Australia and New Zealand Academy for Eating Disorders (ANZAED) has a search tool for finding a clinician local to you.
- If you are concerned about someone you care about, please take the online early intervention tests at either Feed Your Instinct or ROAR.
Parents and carers are in a unique position to recognise these signs and encourage their loved ones to develop a healthier relationship with food, as well as their body. While these signs can be challenging to identify, early recognition is essential before things become more serious.
That’s where Eating Disorders Families Australia’s (EDFA) new prevention program Nourish, Nurture, Notice comes in.
Nourish, Nurture, Notice is Australia’s first-ever online prevention program specifically for parents and is focused on early identification of disordered eating and the prevention of eating disorders in young people.
Designed for parents and carers of school-aged children and adolescents, the program provides vital education to enable recognition of, and response to, the early signs of disordered eating to prevent the development of an eating disorder.
About Eating Disorders Families Australia
Eating Disorders Families Australia (EDFA) is the only national organisation solely for carers and families of those with an eating disorder. EDFA provides support, EDucation, advocacy, and FREE online counselling services. Become a Member today. EDFA has a private Facebook forum, providing a safe place for eating disorder carers and family members to share experiences, seek advice and assistance, and find hope.