How to Help Someone With an Eating Disorder

Friends and family members might notice physical, behavioral, or emotional and psychological signs of eating disorders in their loved one. 

Physical signs 

Physical indicators vary and don’t always come first. Paired with changes in eating patterns, common physical signs of eating disorders often include:

• Significant weight changes (regardless of starting weight)
• Fatigue
• Hair loss or thinning 
• Fainting or dizziness 
• Feeling weak 
• Cold intolerance
• GI complaints

Eating disorders can affect people of any body size. As time goes on, issues like dental problems, deficiencies, and bone loss are common. 

Behavioral signs 

Eating disorder behaviors manifest differently from person to person. While your loved one may attempt to hide their eating disorder, you might notice:

• Rigid food rules (could relate to the amount, type, or timing of food)
• Skipping meals
• Disappearing after eating
• Excessive exercise
• Hiding food

These behaviors tend to get more ingrained and severe as time goes on if left unaddressed. They can also change over time. People with eating disorders often experience high levels of distress if they try not to or cannot engage in eating disorder behaviors. 

Emotional and psychological signs

Your loved one may not seem like themselves. Eating disorders can cause a range of emotional and psychological changes, such as:

• Intense fear of weight gain
• Distorted body image
• Secrecy around food
• Social withdrawal
• Irritability or anxiety around mealtimes
• Trouble concentrating 
• Changes in mood
• Spend less time on or have less energy for previously enjoyed activities

Some people with eating disorders develop a sudden, intense fixation on health, cooking and baking, or fitness. While this might seem normal, paired with symptoms like rigidity, it’s common in people with eating disorders.