How Do I Know if I Have an Eating Disorder?
So far, we have dealt with the types and the general information that you need to fully understand the concept of eating disorders. Please check out our content on our various social media handles to have the full gist.
No, no this is a condition, it is not a choice or a lifestyle. Eating disorders are not really talked about in this part of the world, but we assure you that it is happening. The signs could be subtle sometimes but it does occur. Now, the pointer question is, how exactly should one know if they have an eating disorder??
Well, we would be answering this very question in the course of this blog.
First of all there are some questions you must ask yourself to know whether you have an eating disorder or not.
Do you feel like you eat to live or live to eat?
Do you feel bad if you eat sparsely or generously?
Do you feel like you have to compensate for eating particular foods by exercising or purging?
Do you sense a drastic change in your body after a meal?
If you answer yes to one or more of these questions, then you may actually have an eating disorder. If this is you, please do not take this lightly as it could manifest into something more serious if not professionally managed.
However, it is important to note that there is a need for proper assessment to be carried out by a professional to verify the diagnosis of an eating disorder. This is done through the DSM-5 criteria.
Here is more you may need to know about the DSM-5 criteria for different eating disorders:
Anorexia Nervosa
Restriction of energy intake in relation to age, sex, developmental trajectory, and physical health that results in a noticeably low body weight
Extreme fear of putting on weight despite being underweight
Disturbed body image, unwarranted effects of weight or shape on one's perception of oneself, or a denial of the gravity of one's current low body weight
Bulimia Nervosa
Excessive food consumption within a 2-hour window and a sense of being out of control
Irregular compensating behavior that occurs frequently (vomiting, laxatives, exercise, diet pills)
During the course of three months, binge eating and other compensatory behaviors happen on average once a week.
Body type and weight have an undue influence on how one feels about oneself.
Binge Eating Disorder
Eating huge amounts of food on a regular basis—more than most individuals would consume in a short period of time under similar conditions
Eating quickly, eating after feeling full, and eating covertly while distressed occur around binges
A feeling of losing control when eating during the episode (for example, a feeling that one cannot stop eating or control what or how much one is eating)
For three months, there were binge episodes on average once each week.
Usually Eating disorders are as a result of another mental health condition, so do not hesitate to reach out to us if you suspect you may have an eating disorder. We care for you at EmpathySpace.