Description

A number of behaviors may help to identify a person who should be evaluated for an eating disorder.


 

General behaviors related to eating and dieting:

(1) unnecessary or excessive dieting

(2) high level of self-criticism (of performance, body weight, shape, etc)

(3) avoidance of eating or eating situations

(4) eating in secret

(5) eating in a ritualistic manner

(6) resistance to any recommendation to maintain or increase weight

(7) unusual response to body weighing (negative reaction, resistance, refusal, excessive)

(8) compulsive and/or rigid attitude eating

 

Attitutde towards training and exercising:

(1) excessive training

(2) exercising while injured in excess of activity restrictions

(3) compulsive and/or rigid attitude to exercising

 

General mental state:

(1) restlessness or difficulty relaxing

(2) negative changes in behavior (sad, dishonest, suspicious, etc)

(3) social isolation and withdrawal

(4) depression and/or disordered sleeping patterns (insomnia, etc)

 

Behaviors that may indicate anorexia nervosa:

(1) complains of being fat even when thin

 

Behaviors that may indicate bulimia nervosa:

(1) binge eating

(2) agitation if binge eating is interrupted

(3) frequent vomiting unrelated to an underlying medical illness

(4) excessive use of the bathroom after eating as well as "disappearing" after a meal

(5) evidence for diuretic and/or laxative use not sanctioned by medical provider

(6) substance abuse or misuse, whether legal or illegal

 


To read more or access our algorithms and calculators, please log in or register.