How to Help Someone with an Eating Disorder

The 7 primary warning signs of an eating disorder

1. Drastic changes in their eating habits – whenever an eating disorder is developing, the individual who is succumbing to it usually has no idea that it is developing. Their eating habits become abnormal. They will oftentimes avoid eating with others as well. Look for the overuse of diuretics, enemas, or laxatives.
2. Distorted self image – most Anorexics, Bulimics, and binge eaters start because they have a distorted image of themselves. They think they are overweight when they really aren’t and will have unhealthy attitudes towards eating and food.
3. Compulsive and excessive exercising – another clue or sign that an individual has developed an eating disorder is that they will oftentimes exercise to excess sometimes in conjunction to purging or as a substitute way to avoid gaining weight.
4. Improper beliefs and thoughts – eating disorders are just as psychological as they are physical. The belief or thought that losing weight and being skinny will make them feel better about themselves is not uncommon with eating disorders.
5. Emotional and psychological aspects – another warning sign that an eating disorder is present is that the individual is in denial about their condition. They typically dismiss emotions such as anger with excuses such as claiming to be tired and have difficulty discussing their emotions and feelings.
6. Self-harm and self-injury – in some cases, domestic violence, sexual and spousal abuse, and other traumatic experiences from their past may be directly related to developing an eating disorder. This oftentimes pushes them to self-injure themselves so that they are distracted from the emotional pain they are suffering.
7. Social behavior patterns – individuals also develop a people-pleasing personality when they are suffering with an eating disorder. If this doesn’t help them, they simply withdraw.

How do I help a person with an eating disorder?

If you are unsure how to help someone with an eating disorder, here are a few suggestions that you should consider:

• Contact a Harmony Grove counselor at the phone number listed on this website, we have years of experience.
• Learn as much about eating disorders as you possibly can.
• Consult with your physician or an eating disorder specialist about specific support groups that target different disorders.
• Contact your local hospitals to see if they offer any programs for eating disorders.
• Understand that the individual who is suffering with an eating disorder may be in need of psychological as well as physical assistance.
• Help the individual’s family in getting the necessary assistance and support that they need along with the afflicted individual.
• Find websites online that may contain information on how to help someone with an eating disorder.