What To Look Out For
Recognising habits associated with Eating Disorders can be crucial for timely intervention. Here are some key behaviours to watch for:
Food Restriction: Skipping meals or drastically limiting food intake. This may include avoiding certain food groups or only eating very small portions.
Secretive Eating: Hiding food or eating in private. An individual may become evasive about their eating habits or deny their food consumption.
Compulsive Exercise: Engaging in excessive physical activity as a means to control weight, often prioritising exercise over social commitments or personal responsibilities.
Preoccupation with Weight and Body Image: Constantly expressing dissatisfaction with one's body, frequently weighing themselves, or obsessively comparing their body to others.
Unusual Eating Rituals: Developing specific rituals around eating, such as cutting food into very small pieces, refusing to eat foods of certain colours, or needing to eat foods in a specific order.
Change in Social Habits: Withdrawing from social situations, particularly those involving food, or avoiding gatherings where eating is a focus.
Mood Changes: Showcasing irritability, anxiety, or depression related to food and eating. Emotional instability may increase, particularly around meal times.
Gastrointestinal Issues: Complaints about stomach pain, bloating, or other digestive problems, which may arise from restrictive eating or bingeing behaviours.
Physical Signs: Noticeable weight loss or fluctuations, changes in skin condition, hair loss, or marked fatigue can indicate an underlying eating disorder.
Ritualistic Behaviours: Engaging in behaviours such as bingeing and purging, or using laxatives and diuretics in an attempt to control weight.
Being aware of these habits can help in understanding the struggles faced by individuals with Eating Disorders and encourage compassionate support. If you or someone you know is showing these signs, seeking professional help is important.
