Eating disorders affect both mental and physical health. The signs can include extreme focus on weight or food, changes in eating habits, distorted body image, and serious emotional distress.
These signs vary depending on the type of eating disorder but often involve patterns of restriction, bingeing, purging, or excessive exercise.
In this guide, we’ll explain the key symptoms to look out for, how they differ between conditions like anorexia, bulimia, and binge-eating disorder, and when to seek support.
Table of contents
- What are eating disorders?
- What causes eating disorders?
- What are the different types of eating disorders?
- The signs and symptoms of eating disorders
- Other symptoms of eating disorders
- Physical symptoms of eating disorders
- Symptoms of eating disorders to look for in others
- How to get help for an eating disorder
- Treating eating disorders
What are eating disorders?
Eating disorders are serious conditions, and they can have a large impact on your mental and physical well-being.
Although there are different types of eating disorders, they all involve problematic patterns of thought and behaviour around food, eating, and body image. These thoughts can lead to extreme changes in eating, such as restricting the amount of food you are eating or binge-eating.
These disorders can affect anyone and may lead to long-term struggles if left untreated.
What causes eating disorders?
There isn't one direct cause for eating disorders, specialists generally believe there are many factors involved.
Low self-esteem, body image issues, perfectionism, or past trauma can all play a part. In many cases, people learn to use food and eating behaviours to cope with stress, anxiety, or a sense of losing control in other parts of life.
What are the different types of eating disorders?
There are several recognised types of eating disorders, each with its own behaviours, thought patterns, and health risks. Below are the most common ones. Others can also exist or overlap.
Anorexia
Anorexia nervosa is characterised by restricted eating and an intense fear of gaining weight. People with anorexia often see themselves as overweight even when underweight, and may exercise excessively or avoid food altogether to combat a distorted body image.
Bulimia
Bulimia nervosa involves cycles of binge-eating followed by behaviours like vomiting, excessive exercise, or using laxatives to purge the body of food. It can be harder to spot than anorexia, as the weight of people with bulimia may not fluctuate or they may appear outwardly to have normal eating habits.
Binge eating disorders
Binge-eating disorder involves frequently eating large amounts of food in a short time, often in secret and beyond the point of feeling full. Unlike bulimia, it isn’t followed by purging, and it can lead to shame, guilt, and health issues over time.
The signs and symptoms of eating disorders
Eating disorders tend to present in both emotional and physical ways. It’s important to remember that there are lots of different eating disorders, so there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to spotting them.
However, there are several common behaviours that indicate a problem with eating:
Worrying about weight
One of the most common symptoms of an eating disorder is fixated thinking about weight, body shape, or size. This is common even when there’s no medical reason to be concerned and can be a sign of an unhealthy relationship with food.
Eating very little or overeating
Regularly restricting food intake or having episodes of uncontrollable overeating may suggest a pattern linked to an eating disorder. A further indicator is when those episodes lead to feelings of guilt or shame.
Avoiding social situations where there is food
Avoiding meals out, parties, or any event involving food can be a sign of anxiety around eating. This is often driven by fear of judgment or losing control over food choices.
Making yourself sick after eating
Purging by vomiting after meals is a serious symptom often associated with bulimia. It may be used to “undo” eating and can lead to serious health complications.
If you have been making yourself sick after eating, it’s important that you talk to your GP as soon as possible. This can have a serious effect on your health, and a GP will offer care and assistance as a matter of urgency.
Other symptoms of eating disorders
Some other symptoms of eating disorders include:
- over-exercising
- having very strict rules around eating
- feelings of guilt or anxiety after eating
- weight loss or gain
Physical symptoms of eating disorders
There are several physical symptoms associated with eating disorders. As these disorders involve eating, they generally lead to issues with physical health.
Some physical symptoms of eating disorders include, but are not limited to:
- poor circulation
- digestion problems (bloating, constipation, diarrhoea)
- feeling cold
- feeling dizzy
- feeling faint
- racing heart
Symptoms of eating disorders to look for in others
It can be difficult to spot an eating disorder in someone else, especially if they try to hide their behaviours. However, certain changes in habits, appearance, or mood may signal a problem.
If you’re concerned about someone, here are some symptoms to look out for:
- noticeable weight loss or gain over a short period
- skipping meals or claiming to have already eaten
- obsessive interest in calories, diets, or body image
- wearing baggy clothing to hide their body shape
- withdrawing from social situations, especially those involving food
- frequent trips to the bathroom after eating
- signs of fatigue, dizziness, or poor concentration
- mood changes, such as increased irritability or low self-esteem
- excessive exercise, even when unwell or injured
- hiding or hoarding food
How to get help for an eating disorder
If you think you or someone you know may have an eating disorder, the first step is to speak to your GP. If it's for someone you know, who you may think has an eating disorder, it's important to be patient and understanding. It can be an incredibly difficult time in someone's life, and the care you show them can really make a difference.
GPs will carry out an assessment and refer you to specialist services. You can also access private support, such as psychotherapy or nutritional counselling. These services often offer quicker access to treatment and a choice of specialists. Early intervention can make a significant difference, so seeking help as soon as possible is important.
Treating eating disorders
Most people with eating disorders are referred to a specialist service for treatment. This often involves talking therapy, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which helps address problematic thoughts and behaviours around food. However, more specific types of therapy may be needed, depending on the situation.
Recovery is different for everyone and can take time. Guided self-help programmes may also be offered, and regular health check-ins are usually needed to monitor progress and physical wellbeing.
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