Symptoms of Eating Disorders

A better prognosis depends on the early detection of the Eating Disorder (ED), thus it is important to pay attention to any alert signs.

• Behaviour and attitudes that indicate that the loss of weight and control of eating are becoming a major concern of the individual.
• To miss meals with all types of pretexts. Meals not being finished or thrown away.
• To hide or store food.
• To go to the lavatory immediately after meals. To try to hide vomiting, or justify it.
• Complaints about constipation and the use of laxatives, diuretics and or slimming pills.
• To show a sudden interest in cooking and recipes. Prepare elaborate dishes, but not try them.
• To be informed on the composition of foods and their energy value (to count calories).
• To change eating habits, increasing the consumption of fruit and vegetables, reducing or eliminating the consumption of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.
• Food “fads”. To cut it or break into very small pieces, shift it around on the plate, chew a lot, changes in the speed of eating, etc.
• To enjoy when others eat, or encourage them to do so.
• To chew chewing gum continuously or increase the consumption of diet drinks, coffee, or tea, normally with the aim of concealing the feeling of hunger.
• Disappearance of large quantities of food, frequently “prohibited foods” due to being of high calorific value.
• Increase in exercise, which is generally done alone and compulsively. To take advantage of any occasion to go walking or avoid taking lifts/elevators.
• Not to tolerate well changes in daily routines, to suffer them with stress and anxiety.
• Hides the body with wide clothes to conceal its shape or any weight loss.
• Continuous unease. Not able to keep still or seated
• Change in academic or work performance.

• Intense fear of gaining weight.
• Significant dissatisfaction with their own body, figure, and weight.
• Distortion of body image (cannot realistically perceive their own body).

• The only interests are food, exercise, and weight.
• Low self‑esteem and elevated self-criticism.
• Low mood state or frequent or sudden changes, irritability and/or anxiety.
• An apparent lack of feelings. Does not express emotions, such as anger, happiness, sadness, pleasure, or anxiety.
• Not to enjoy hobbies and abandon them, or any other activities that were pleasurable before.
• Disinterest in relationships with other.
• Distancing of friendships and isolation in the home.
• Worsening of family relationships and of living together.