Signs That Your Loved One May Have An Eating Disorder

It is vital that you are well aware of the signs that may indicate that your loved one is suffering from an eating disorder. Since he or she may not come right out and say anything to you, you need to know the symptoms so you can take action by getting them medical treatment.

Sudden Extreme Exercise Regimen

It is very healthy for people to exercise, no matter what their current weight is. However, if you have noticed that your loved one is taking his or her exercise routine to the extreme, it might be time to try to intervene. For example, if he or she is exercising multiple hours a day, every single day of the week, and becomes visibly distressed over just the thought of having to miss a day, this is a problem.

Obsession With The Scale

Even when someone needs to lose some weight for health reasons, it is still advised to only step on the scale about once a week. This is because the weight of an individual will fluctuate a little from day to day. However, someone that is suffering from an eating disorder may find themselves on the scale every single day. He or she might even step on the scale several times a day such as after working out or after eating.

Exhibits Some Odd Behaviors Around Meal Times

One of the things that you might notice is that your loved one is finding multiple excuses to use the restroom immediately after every meal. This could be so he or she can purge the food from their system in an attempt to not gain any weight. Then again, you may find that your loved one simply refuses to eat any meals in front of anyone else. They must eat in private. This is either so you cannot see how little they are eating or that they are not eating anything at all.

Disturbances In Their Mood

When someone is not getting enough nutrients, their moods can be affected in a negative way. They can become depressed, irritable, and angry much easier than normal. You might also notice that they are not sleeping properly. Over sleeping once in a while is not a bad thing. However, if they are lacking enough energy to fully wake up and get out of bed every day at a decent hour, then it may have something to do with their eating habits.

If you notice that your loved one is experiencing any of those signs, you will want to take immediate action. Explain that you are worried for them and consult with a health care professional or eating disorder treatment facility for further assistance.