Do I have an Eating Disorder?: Learn Common Signs and Symptoms of an Eating Disorder

Written by ‘Ai Pono Hawaii Staff Writer

Think you might have an eating disorder? Or maybe you’re concerned someone you love is developing one? Take our self-assessment eating disorder quiz to find out if you or a loved one needs to seek professional help for an eating disorder. 

What is an Eating Disorder?

There is a lot of confusion and misconception surrounding eating disorders and who qualifies as having one, so before we dive into the eating disorder quiz, let’s first define what an eating disorder is. 

Eating disorders are serious mental health disorders. They involve disordered thoughts about food and eating behaviors. According to the most current version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, there are four main categories of eating disorders, each with their own symptoms, behaviors, and treatment methods. 

Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia nervosa is characterized by inadequate food intake leading to weight loss (or difficulty maintaining an appropriate weight for age, height, and stature). Many individuals also suffer from a distorted body image.

Common symptoms include:

  • Calorie and food restriction

  • Intense fear of weight gain

  • Compulsive exercise

  • Inability to recognize the severity of the disorder

  • Binge-Eating/Purging in non-restrictive types 

Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia nervosa is a serious type of eating disorder characterized by a destructive cycle of binge eating and purging. Purging may include exercise, self-induced vomiting, or some other behavior designed to reverse or undo the effects of the binge.  

Common signs of Bulimia Nervosa include:

  • Frequent episodes of binge eating and purging (consuming large amounts of food followed by behaviors to prevent weight gain like vomiting or exercise). 

  • Feeling out of control during binge-eating episodes.

  • Self-esteem being overly related to body image. 

Binge Eating Disorder

Binge Eating Disorder (BED), though only recently classified as an eating disorder in the DSM-5, is the most common eating disorder in the United States. BED is a serious and potentially life-threatening disorder defined by frequent episodes of consuming large quantities of food. It differs from Bulimia Nervosa in that the individual does not regularly engage in purging behaviors (like vomiting or exercise) after the binge. 

Common symptoms associated with BED include:

  • Regular episodes of consuming large amounts of food in a short period of time and to the point of discomfort.

  • Feeling out of control during the binge. 

  • Feelings of strong guilt and shame after the binge.

  • Eating alone because of shame about the behavior. 

Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorders (OSFED)

OSFED is a term used to describe an eating disorder that does not meet the strict diagnostic criteria for another eating disorder like anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa, yet still qualifies for a serious eating disorder. 

Although individuals diagnosed with OSFED do not meet the criteria for anorexia or bulimia, this does not mean their illness is any less severe. In fact, NEDA reveals that children hospitalized for EDNOS/OSFED had as many medical complications as those hospitalized for anorexia. Further, individuals with OSFED were just as likely to die as a result of their disorder as people with anorexia or bulimia. 

Some examples of OSFED include:

  • Atypical Anorexia Nervosa - The individual meets all criteria for anorexia nervosa except for significant weight loss. 

  • Purging Disorder - Frequent purging episodes to control weight or shape without binge eating. 

  • Bulimia Nervosa (of limited duration and/or low frequency) - All criteria for bulimia nervosa are met except that behaviors occur less frequently or have only been present for three months. 

  • Night Eating Syndrome - excessive food consumption at night

  • Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder

  • Pica

What Causes Eating Disorders?

One of the #1 myths surrounding eating disorders is that they are a conscious choice and that if the individual would “just decide to start eating again,” the disorder would simply “go away.” Nothing could be further from the truth. 

As numerous research shows, eating disorders are caused by a mixture of genetic and environmental elements, and as bio-psycho-social illnesses, they typically require professional care and treatment. While studies show that inherited biological factors and certain genetic components contribute over 55 percent to an individual’s risk of developing an eating disorder, there are other factors involved.

One in four people with an eating disorder also have symptoms of PTSD, according to the National Eating Disorder Association. Many individuals who develop eating disorders also display symptoms of anxiety or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder before being diagnosed with an eating disorder. Other contributing causes include pressures (especially body image pressures) placed on an individual by society, school, sports, family, or friends. 

Who Can Have an Eating Disorder?

While many people think eating disorders are only for underweight adolescent girls and young women, the truth is, anyone--no matter their age, gender, or body size--can develop an eating disorder. 

Here are some statistics revealing the wide range of people affected by eating disorders:

  • Approximately 30 million people have had or will have an eating disorder at some point in their lives.

  • Twenty-five out of every 100 individuals with anorexia nervosa are males.

  • Approximately 40 out of every 100 persons with binge eating disorder are males. 

  • Sixteen percent of transgender college students reported having an eating disorder.

  • A 2014 study revealed that disordered eating has increased across all demographic sectors, but at a much faster rate in lower socioeconomic groups, males, and older populations. 

  • Thirteen percent of women over 50 years old engage in eating disorder behaviors.

  • Individuals with obesity are 2.45 times more likely to engage in disordered eating behaviors compared to those of normal weight or underweight, yet overweight or obese individuals are half as likely to receive a clinical diagnosis for an eating disorder. 

As these statistics reveal, eating disorders can (and do) affect people of every age, gender, and body size. 

Do I Have an Eating Disorder?

Eating disorders have the highest rate of mortality of all mental illnesses. Every 62 minutes, at least one person dies as a direct result of an eating disorder. This is why it is so important to detect and treat eating disorders as soon as possible. Eating disorders are highly treatable illnesses, and no matter how long you have suffered from an eating disorder, there is hope for recovery. Full recovery at that.

Below is a list of questions from ED Referral to help you determine if you might have an eating disorder. While these questions are not intended to diagnose, they can help you see if your relationship with food and body image is problematic. If you answer yes to one or more of the following questions, you may have an eating disorder and should seek professional help. 

Eating Disorder Quiz

  • Are you preoccupied with thoughts about food and eating?

  • Do you sometimes feel like you have no control over how you eat?

  • Do you overeat or undereat when you are experiencing difficult emotions?

  • Do you make yourself vomit or exercise because you feel too full?

  • Have others expressed concern about your weight or eating habits?

  • Do you feel ashamed or self-conscious eating in front of others?

  • Do you make up excuses to avoid eating with friends and family?

  • Do you avoid social situations due to your fear of eating or not knowing what will be served?

  • Do you use terms such as “safe,” “good,” “bad,” or “clean” when describing certain foods?

  • Do you avoid or ignore hunger and fullness signals?

  • Do you use laxatives, diuretics, or stimulants to control your weight?

  • Does your appearance largely determine how you feel about yourself and your day?

  • Do you exercise in order to lose or control your weight?

  • Does the idea of skipping a workout create anxiety?

  • Do you often compare your body size and shape to others?

  • Do you believe that if you changed your body size, you would be happier or that your life would be perfect?

  • For women, has your menstrual period stopped or become irregular?


Did you answer ‘Yes’ to any of these questions? If so, it may be in your best interest to speak with an expert in the field of eating disorders for more information and further assessment.

Take the first step today and talk to someone about recovery or simply learn more about the eating disorder recovery programs we offer. 

Ai Pono