How to notice if your loved one has an eating disorder and what to do about it

An eating disorder is a mental health condition that occurs when an individual uses the control of food to cope with feelings and other situations. These conditions often go unnoticed until they reach a critical point. Recognising the early signs of disordered eating is crucial for offering timely support and intervention. This blog will highlight the common red flags and how family, friends and healthcare professionals can help intervene at an early stage.

Weighing food to control consumption amounts.

What to look for: Symptoms of Eating Disorder

1. Drastic Weight Changes

Unexplained weight loss or fluctuations, even without noticeable changes in diet, can be a warning sign of an eating disorder. This change in weight may be recognised by visible changes in body shape or through social actions such as, frequently complaining about hunger and/or avoiding meals. It is important to remember that weight loss doesn't always have to be extreme. Some individuals may maintain a healthy weight whilst battling with disordered eating behaviours.

2. Obsessive focus on Food and Body image

Those suffering with an eating disorder often can be excessive over the consumption of calories which leads to constant dieting and in extreme cases, restrictive eating. This is due to the ongoing concern about their body image. It may become noticeable to others when there are frequent conversations regarding food and weight.

3. Excessive exercise or compensatory actions

An obsession with exercise to 'burn off' calories or using laxatives or inducing vomiting after eating is a main indication of an eating disorder. Over-exercising to compensate for food intake is particularly concerning due to the nutrient deficiency or hormone imbalance that is formed.

An individual will constantly check their weight.

4. Physical symptoms

- Feeling cold, tired or dizzy

- Pains, tingling or numbness in your arms and legs

- Problems with your digestions e.g Bloating, Constipation and Diarrhoea

- Not getting your period

- Hair loss

5. Mood changes

Due to the constant thought about food, meal times, body image and calorie consumption, Individuals suffering with eating disorders often withdraw themselves from social situations. Avoiding meals with others or social situations involving food may reflect the anxiety or shame surrounding eating. This can lead to Anxiety, Depression, Irritability or feelings of Guilt after eating or not attending social events.

Types of Eating Disorders

The most common eating disorders include:

Anorexia Nervosa	To control over your weight by not eating enough food, exercising too much or doing both.
Bulimia	Losing control over how much you eat and then taking drastic actions to not put on weight.
Binge Eating Disorder	Eating larger portions of food until you feel uncomfortably full.

How to seek support

Early recognition and treatment of eating disorders can significantly improve recovery chances. Untreated eating disorders can lead to other severe health complications such as heart problems, lack of menstrual cycles and low blood pressure. By noticing the signs early, you can intervene before the disorder becomes entrenched and help find support from professionals to heal. Therefore, we advise speaking to your friends and families, but don't forget Nutrition and co are here to provide you will help too! At Nutrition and co, we believe in holistic well-being and support. If you're concerned about an eating disorder, professional help is just a step away. Our expert dietitians can help create personalised plans to rebuild your healthy relationship with food.

Explore our services and receive excellent advice through our disorderly eating page or contact us to book a free consultant today!

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