Eating Disorder Warning Signs and Information

In light of today's Dr. Phil show on eating disorders, I'm sure there will be some friends and relatives searching for information about eating disorders. I hope the information I provide here can help you help someone you love.

I wrote some posts about Anorexia and Bulimia last year, which I thought may be helpful for people looking for information about the disorders:
What is Anorexia Nervosa?

What is Bulimia Nervosa?

Some warning signs that your loved one may be suffering with an eating disorder include:
-Making excuses to avoid meals or eating, such as, "I already ate," "I'm not hungry," or, "I'm going to eat later with so-and-so."
-Measuring portion sizes or weighing food
-Cutting food into tiny pieces before eating it
-Using diet pills
-Skipping meals
-Wearing layers of clothes or wearing baggy clothes to cover weight loss
-Complaints of being cold all the time
-Weight fluctuations
-Rapid weight loss or gain
-Large amounts of food missing from cabinets or the fridge could be signs of binging behavior
-Noticing several wrappers and food containers in piles could also be a sign of binging
-Taking frequent trips to the restroom after meals could be a sign that your loved one is purging
-Complaints from your loved one about how he or she is fat, disgusting, and/or ugly
-An obsession with food, weight, food, and/or body image

If you believe someone you love is suffering from an eating disorder, please encourage him or her to seek professional help. If not treated properly early on, eating disorders can, and do, become fatal conditions.