7 Signs of Disordered Eating (and How to Seek Help)

Did you know there’s a right and wrong way to think about food? Disordered eating is easy to overlook, but it’s a serious issue that can affect your physical and mental well-being. Everyone has unique eating habits, but when these behaviors negatively impact your health, relationships, or emotional stability, it might signify underlying disordered eating. 

Dr. Oluranti Adepoju at Revive Holistic Psychiatry in Weymouth, Massachusetts, specializes in helping people overcome eating disorders and develop a healthier relationship with food. 

Here, she highlights seven key signs to watch for and discusses how treatment options can help you or someone you know get back on track. 

Common warning signs of disordered eating 

There are several different eating disorders, and not everyone exhibits the same signs and symptoms, but here are some of the most common.

1. Preoccupation with food, weight, or body shape 

Constantly thinking about calories, weight, or meal planning could point to disordered eating. For example, you may avoid social situations involving food or obsessively count calories to feel in control. 

2. Restricting your eating habits 

Skipping meals, drastically reducing calorie intake, or cutting out entire food groups are red flags. While eating clean or healthy is an admirable goal, extremes — like avoiding multiple nutrient-rich foods — can deprive you of crucial vitamins and minerals. 

3. Binge-eating episodes 

Frequently eating large amounts of food in a short period, especially when not physically hungry, can be a sign of binge-eating disorder. Feelings of guilt or shame afterward often accompany these episodes. 

4. Unhealthy compensatory behaviors 

Behaviors like forcing yourself to throw up, overusing laxatives, excessively exercising, or fasting to “make up” for food consumed are concerning and suggest a harmful cycle of bingeing and purging, common in conditions like bulimia nervosa. 

5. Avoidance of certain textures or types of food 

If you avoid food due to its color, texture, or fear of eating altogether, it could indicate avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID). This behavior differs from typical pickiness and may significantly disrupt daily life or cause weight loss. 

6. Physical symptoms caused by poor nutrition 

If you have an eating disorder and don’t get enough essential nutrients, you could experience unexplained fatigue, hair thinning, fainting, digestive problems, irregular menstruation, brittle nails, or low energy. 

7. Social withdrawal and secrecy around food 

A sudden reluctance to eat with others, hiding food, or feeling ashamed about your eating habits can indicate emotional turmoil related to food. 

If any of these signs resonate with you or someone you know, it’s essential to understand the types of eating disorders and how Dr. Adepuju’s professional care can guide you toward recovery. 

Types of eating disorders you should know 

Knowing the type of eating disorder you have is the first step in resolving it. Here are some of the more common types. 

Anorexia nervosa 

Anorexia is an extreme restriction of food intake due to intense fear of gaining weight. People with this condition often have a distorted body image, even when dangerously underweight. 

Symptoms include rapid weight loss, excessive exercise, and fear of eating.

Bulimia nervosa 

Bulimia involves cycles of binge eating followed by purging. Purging behaviors include vomiting, misusing laxatives, or engaging in excessive exercise to avoid weight gain. 

Symptoms include chronic inflamed throat, decayed teeth from stomach acid, and secretive eating habits.

Binge-eating disorder 

Unlike bulimia, binge-eating disorder doesn’t involve purging. Instead, individuals may experience guilt, shame, or dieting attempts following the eating episodes. 

Symptoms include devouring large quantities, hiding snacks, and eating in secret. 

Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) 

ARFID doesn’t stem from concerns about weight but rather anxiety over food itself. This could involve sensitivity to textures, smells, or fears like choking. 

Symptoms include limited food variety, nutritional deficiencies, and stunted growth (in younger people).

When to seek help 

Recognizing disordered eating is the first step, but seeking professional help is critical for recovery. Dr. Adepoju and our team take a holistic approach to treating eating disorders. Our goal is to heal not just the symptoms but also the root causes of disordered eating. 

Treatment may include a combination of psychotherapy, medication management, nutritional counseling, and holistic strategies tailored to suit you personally. 

If you’re ready to regain control over your mental and physical health, book an appointment online with Dr. Adepoju today, or call 617-855-9944 to schedule an in-person or telehealth consultation.