Eating Disorders: Common Warning Signs
Do I (or my friend) have an eating disorder?
Do you spend so much time in your waking hours thinking about weight, body image, and food that it interferes with your happiness, relationships with friends and family, or daily functioning?
How to talk to someone who might have an eating disorder
- Gather the facts. Realize and accept that no action may be taken after the first conversation.
- Remain calm and express your concern using “I” statements – shame is a part of any eating disorder or addiction. It’s important not to blame or make assumptions about what someone else is going through.
- Listen with empathy and care
- Suggest getting help. Resources like ANAD’s helpline/website are available to help connect people to an eating disorders professional
How to help if someone doesn’t want help
- Find a middle ground between forcing the issue and ignoring it.
- Ask if they want help making the first call or appointment. They may just need support making that first call.
- Sometimes it takes several tries before a person identifies the right clinician to help with their eating disorder. Remember that though eating disorders share commonalities, everyone is unique.
- Even though these conversations are difficult, often people just need a little support and compassion. Not talking about it only encourages feelings of being isolated, ignored, and unimportant. The best thing you can do is to listen and to let the person know you care about them, are concerned for them, and want to help.
When speaking with someone about eating disorders, you may be met with ambivalence, denial or reasons why the person doesn’t feel they need or want help. Try not to be discouraged, because simply having the conversation can open the door to more communication. For more tips and resources, on this topic, download the Support at Every Stage Guide.
Get Help
We invite you to consider contacting our Helpline or Referrals service for help.
Common Warning Signs Associated with Eating Disorders
Detecting an eating disorder can be a layered and sensitive topic. A big indicator might be a noticeable change in a person’s attitudes towards food and their body. While there are more specific signs depending on diagnosis, it’s important to note that not everyone fits neatly into these categories. All eating concerns deserve immediate attention.
Emotional / Behavioral
- Weight loss, dieting, and control of food are primary concerns
- Food rituals
- Social withdrawal
- Frequent dieting, body checking
- Extreme mood swings
Physical
- Noticeable weight fluctuations
- Gastrointestinal complaints
- Dizziness upon standing
- Difficulty concentrating, sleeping
- Issues with dental, skin, hair, and nail health
Eating Disorder Warning Signs
Detecting an eating disorder can be a layered and sensitive topic. A big indicator might be a noticeable change in a person’s attitudes towards food and their body. While there are more specific signs depending on diagnosis, it’s important to note that not everyone fits neatly into these categories. All eating concerns deserve immediate attention.
Changes in a person’s attitude toward food and body image can indicate an eating disorder. While signs may vary, all eating concerns
deserve immediate attention. An important question to consider is do you spend so much time in your waking hours thinking about weight,
body image, and food that it interferes with your happiness, relationships with friends and family, or daily functioning?
Behavioral Warning Signs
Spending a lot of time thinking about food, dieting or body image | Social withdrawal | Rigid food rituals or habits | Frequent dieting, body checking | Excessive exercise
Physical Warning Signs
Feeling dizzy or faint, especially upon standing | Weight loss or fluctuations | Gastrointestinal complaints (bloating, constipation, or diarrhea) | Issues with hair, teeth, hair, or skin | Amenorrhea (missed period) or delayed signs of puberty
Psychological Warning Signs
Change in mood or personality | Fixation on perfection | Anxiety, depression | Irritability around meal time | Slowed thinking
Concerned about a friend or loved one?
Approaching someone about a potential eating disorder requires a delicate balance of empathy, nonjudgment, and directness. It’s less about “fixing” them and more about opening a door for support. ANAD has developed several resources to help you navigate these challenging conversations. Please call the ANAD Helpline at 1-888-375-7767 if there is anything we can do to help support you during this time!
PDF: How To Talk With Someone You ’re Concerned About
PDF: Support At Every Stage Approach Guide
ANAD Peer Support Options
We’ve created this page as a central location with practical tips and tools for supporting your loved one through their eating disorder recovery journey.