What Are The Symptoms Of Eating Disorders?

Eating disorders are mental health conditions in which a person develops unhealthy behaviors around consuming food. These behaviors are often linked to body image concerns and/or fear of gaining weight or represent a maladaptive coping mechanism for unpleasant emotions. Symptoms of eating disorders can take a significant toll on a person’s life and well-being, but treatments are available. Learning to recognize the symptoms can be important, since early intervention can result in significantly improved outcomes for those with this type of condition. We’ll discuss both symptoms and treatment methods for common eating disorders here.

Common types of eating disorders: anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), there are eight diagnosable “feeding and eating disorders.” Some of the most common eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. 

Anorexia nervosa

Anorexia nervosa, often referred to as anorexia, is an eating disorder typically characterized by an intense fear of gaining weight. As a result, a person with anorexia will often participate in obsessive behaviors intended to lose weight or maintain a certain body weight. Examples of these behaviors can include excessive exercise, counting calories, and severely restricting food intake. People with anorexia may experience a distorted body image where no matter how much weight loss they might experience, they still perceive themselves as overweight. 

Bulimia nervosa

Bulimia nervosa, usually referred to as bulimia, involves cycles of binging and purging. A binge is when a person consumes large amounts of food in a short period of time, while a purge is a compensatory behavior meant to “get rid of” or “atone for” the food consumption. Purges can involve forcing oneself to vomit, taking unhealthy or unnecessary laxatives, or exercising to the point of exhaustion. Unlike with anorexia, which is associated with dangerous levels of weight loss, people with bulimia may still maintain a certain weight, though they’re likely to experience other health complications. 

Binge eating disorder

Binge eating disorder (BED) is similar to bulimia in that it involves binging, but it does not involve purging. Binges may be used as a coping mechanism to soothe or suppress anxiety or other undesired or complicated emotions. A person with BED will often feel out of control and like they can’t stop eating while they are binging. 

Eating disorder symptoms

Anyone of any gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic class, or body type can experience an eating disorder. Symptoms can vary depending on the individual, the disorder with which they’re living, and the severity of symptoms. That said, some common warning signs for eating disorders in general, which signal the need for professional support, include the following.

Mental health symptoms of eating disorders

What are the symptoms of eating disorders so you can watch for them in yourself and your loved ones? Eating disorders are often associated with the following mental health symptoms:

• A preoccupation with food, body image, weight gain, working out, supplements, eating choices, weight loss “hacks” and trends, etc.
• Irritability
• Fear and anxiety around gaining weight
• Mood swings
• A sense of hopelessness
• Low self-esteem
• Feelings of shame and guilt
• Social isolation (avoiding social settings that involve food, in particular)
• A loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities
• Stress and tension related to managing food intake

Physical health symptoms of eating disorders

Mental health symptoms of eating disorders in general often overlap. Physical symptoms tend to differ more significantly based on the type of eating disorder with which a person is living.

Common physical symptoms of anorexia include:

• Extreme weight loss
• Brittle and splitting fingernails, toenails, and hair
• Dry skin
• A lack of energy
• Lanugo, or a coat of fine hair all over the body for warmth due to diminished fat stores
• Heart irregularities and complications
• Osteoporosis
• Organ failure, in extreme cases

Common physical symptoms of bulimia include:

• Swollen salivary glands
• Gastrointestinal issues
• Persistent sore throat
• Unbalanced electrolyte levels
• Tooth decay and other dental problems from vomiting often
• Stomach damage

Common physical symptoms of binge eating disorder include:

• Weight gain
• High blood pressure
• Cardiovascular issues
• Back pain
• Fatigue

Possible causes of eating disorders

There is no one cause that results in developing eating disorders. Instead, there are many factors that might influence eating disorder development. 

While scientists have examined the genetics of eating disorders for some time, emerging research is indicating with a greater level of specificity exactly how genetic factors may influence eating disorder development. This includes the possibility that inherited gut microbiome makeup could lead to appetite dysregulation.

The relationship between eating disorders and other mental health conditions

Eating disorders can co-occur with a number of other mental illnesses as well as other eating disorders. For example, it’s not uncommon for a person with binge eating disorder to also have depression, and it’s possible for a person to have anorexia with bulimic tendencies. 

In many cases, it may not be clear if the eating disorder led to the development of the other mental health condition or the other mental health condition led to the development of the eating disorder. Common overlapping illnesses with eating disorders include depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, substance use disorder, body dysmorphic disorder, and autism spectrum disorder.

Is it possible to not realize you have an eating disorder?

Many people with eating disorders may not believe there is anything problematic or unusual about their attitudes and behaviors involving food. In some cases, this lack of realization may be a subconscious denial. The disordered eating may have become a maladaptive coping mechanism or a way to experience a sense of control, and the person with the disorder may be unwilling to acknowledge how destructive it has become. 

Cultural pressures and celebrations of thinness, exercising, and “self-control” when it comes to food may also contribute to some patients not thinking of their behaviors as problematic, or to them even receiving positive feedback for weight loss or other changes. It’s one reason why getting familiar with common signs of eating disorders and noticing them in family and friends can be important. While you can’t force someone into treatment, gently expressing your concerns and offering your support could be helpful if you notice symptoms in a loved one.

How to challenge thought patterns related to disordered eating

Eating disorder behaviors are frequently tied to unhealthy thought patterns that may not be based in objective fact. Examples of such thoughts could include the belief that one’s worth is inherently connected to one’s appearance, that any body type other than extreme thinness is unhealthy or unattractive, or that obsessive behaviors around eating or working out demonstrate discipline and are a positive component of one’s life. 

Thought patterns can be difficult to recognize and dismantle on one’s own. Speaking to a mental health professional who specializes in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) may be an effective way to start the process of unpacking these harmful thoughts.  

Mental health support for people with eating disorders

Eating disorders typically require professional intervention in order to adjust the maladaptive eating behaviors and the thoughts that lead to them. Eating disorders treated with therapy and other supportive strategies can often be successfully addressed to the point where few or no symptoms remain—again, particularly if symptoms are addressed early. Eating disorder therapy can involve elements of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as well as working with a nutritionist to develop healthier eating habits. 

The option of online therapy

Concerns about body image and disordered eating are often associated with high levels of shame and embarrassment in the individual experiencing them. It can be difficult for people to authentically engage with a therapist if they feel ashamed of their symptoms. Online therapy may help take some of the pressure off in these situations, since it allows a person to meet with a licensed therapist via phone, video call, and/or in-app messaging from home or anywhere they have an internet connection.

Research indicates that there may not be any significant difference in effectiveness of eating disorder treatment conducted online versus in person. For example, one study suggests that online therapeutic interventions to address bulimia symptoms can be just as effective as similar interventions conducted in person.