Eating disorders are severe mental health conditions that involve disordered eating behaviors, thoughts, and emotions surrounding food and body image. These disorders can affect people of all ages, genders, races, and backgrounds.
If you have or currently experience signs of an eating disorder, you are not alone. According to ANAD (National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders), a non-profit dedicated to creating resources for people experiencing eating disorders, an estimated 9% of the U.S. population, or 28.8 million Americans, will have an eating disorder in their lifetime.
Eating disorders of any kind are a serious issue that is continuously perpetuated by societal expectations, social media, and “ideal body” standards that aren’t realistic for you to attain. Because of social media, you are exposed to thousands of images daily that potentially can cause you to feel bad about your body, lower your self-esteem, and cause you to use food in a harmful way.
This blog post will briefly cover the different types of eating disorders, our self-diagnostic eating disorder test to help you understand if your relationship with food is harmful, and how seeking a therapist can help work through the root causes of disordered eating symptoms.
Note: This test is used for self-diagnostic purposes only. This is not an official diagnostic tool.
The 4 Types of Eating Disorders:
- Anorexia Nervosa:
This is when you severely restrict your food intake to lose weight. If you’re struggling with anorexia, you may have an intense fear of gaining weight, see yourself as overweight even when underweight, and have a distorted body image.
- Bulimia Nervosa:
This is characterized by episodes of binge eating followed by purging behaviors such as self-induced vomiting, excessive exercise, or the use of laxatives to compensate for the amount of food consumed.
- Binge Eating Disorder:
This involves recurrent episodes of binge eating without purging behaviors. If you’re struggling with this disorder, you may often feel a lack of control during these episodes and can experience feelings of guilt and shame afterward.
- Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorders (OSFED):
These are eating disorders that do not meet the specific criteria for anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating disorder. Examples include atypical anorexia (you may restrict food, with your weight being in a normal range) and purging disorder (purging without binge eating).
It is important to note that disordered eating behaviors are not always classified as a diagnosed eating disorder. They can still negatively impact your mental and physical health. These behaviors may include restrictive dieting, chronic calorie counting, excessive exercise, and food avoidance due to a fear of gaining weight.
Take the 7-Question Eating Disorder Test
Do you think you or someone you know may be struggling with an eating disorder or disordered eating behaviors? Take this self-test to find out.
How to take this test:
Each question is a Yes or No answer. After reading each question, take your time to think about the answer. Some answers will come faster than others. If you feel thoughts or emotions come up as you read these questions, journaling or discussing them with someone you trust can help you process anything during this test.
1. Do you constantly think about your weight or body shape?
2. Do you feel guilty or anxious after eating certain foods?
3. Have you drastically reduced your food intake in an attempt to lose weight?
4. Do you engage in purging behaviors such as self-induced vomiting, using laxatives, or excessive exercise after binge-eating episodes?
5. Have you noticed a significant change in your weight or eating habits in the past few months?
6. Do you avoid social situations that involve food?
7. Do you feel your self-worth is tied to your weight or appearance?
If you answered yes to three or more of these questions, it may be a sign that you could benefit from connecting with a Makin Wellness therapist for an eating disorder or disordered eating behavior.
How a Therapist Can Help With an Eating Disorder?
Statistically, 15% of women will suffer from an eating disorder by their 40s or 50s, with only 27% receiving any treatment for it. Treating an eating disorder on your own is complex and not easy. With the help of a therapist who specializes in eating disorders, you can confront the root causes of your eating disorder and increase your chances of recovery.
How a Makin Wellness therapist can help you cope with an eating disorder:
- Identify and challenge harmful thoughts and beliefs about food, weight, and body image.
- Develop self-care practices that promote a positive relationship with food and exercise.
- Explore any underlying emotional or psychological factors contributing to disordered eating behaviors.
- Learn healthy coping mechanisms for managing difficult emotions without turning to food.
- Create a personalized treatment plan that addresses your specific needs.
Remember, overcoming an eating disorder is possible, and seeking help is the first step towards improving your relationship with stress, body image, self-esteem, and food.
Sometimes, you can experience big feelings, thoughts, and emotions related to your eating disorder. If you or someone you know is in a crisis, please dial 911 (or your local emergency number) for immediate help. For more resources on eating disorders, call one of the following numbers for further assistance:
ANAD (Anorexia Nervosa & Associated Disorders) Hotline
The National Association of Anorexia Nervosa & Associated Disorders (ANAD) is a non-profit organization that provides support and resources to you and your family affected by eating disorders, disordered eating, or body image concerns. They offer free, easy-to-access resources to anyone who needs them.
Phone: 1-888-375-7767
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Helpline
The NAMI helpline offers information, resources, and compassionate assistance if you are experiencing mental health concerns. Staffed by trained volunteers and professionals, the NAMI Helpline provides a safe space to discuss mental health challenges, access resources, and receive referrals to local support services.
Phone: 1-800-950-NAMI (6264)
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Both services are free and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. All calls are confidential. Your call will be routed to the nearest crisis center to you. Call for yourself or someone you care about. Free and confidential.
Phone: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
The deaf and hard of hearing can contact the Lifeline via TTY at 1-800-799-4889.
Crisis Text Line
Crisis Text Line is a confidential support service that provides help and resources to you if you are in crisis. Through text messaging, trained crisis counselors offer a listening ear, emotional support, and information on available resources.
Text “HELLO” to 741741
Conclusion
Eating disorders are severe mental health conditions that can significantly affect your self-esteem, body image, stress levels, and your relationship with food. With almost 30 million Americans suffering from an eating disorder in their lifetime, you are not alone if you answered Yes to several questions in the Eating Disorder Test.
The next step is to find a therapist who can perform an official diagnostic test and create a personalized plan for you to process your current behaviors and work with you to develop healthier ones. At Makin Wellness, we have specialized therapists who understand eating disorders and how to work toward recovery.
If you are ready to take the next step toward recovery, call us at or schedule an appointment here to get started. Prioritizing your mental health is never easy. So many distractions and things on your to-do list seem more urgent than focusing on yourself. By concentrating on your mental health, you can work through the things that hold you back from feeling peace and freedom in your life. Make the call today to make yourself a priority this year.
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