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Eating Disorders

Difficulties We Work With

What is an Eating Disorder?

Eating disorders involve difficulties with eating behaviours and patterns, and extreme concerns about body size, shape or weight which interfere with normal activities and quality of life. Individuals of all ages, genders and walks of life can struggle with eating concerns.

Many people with an eating disorder do not realise they have this difficulty, or if they do, they may conceal or hide the signs of their behaviour. There are various types of eating disorders, all which vary across each individual. Each individual may not experience or display all, or any, of the following symptoms. It is also possible to experience several of these signs and not have an eating disorder.

Some common warning signs that can signal the beginning or presence of an eating disorder are:

  • Frequent thoughts or preoccupation with food, body weight or shape
  • Rigid thoughts about food being ‘good’ or ‘bad’
  • Intense fear of gaining weight
  • Extreme body dissatisfaction or negative body image
  • Using food as a source of comfort
  • Feeling anxious or irritable around food or meal times
  • Frequent trips to the bathroom during or shortly after meals
  • Rapid weight loss or frequent weight change
  • Loss of menstrual periods in women
  • Withdrawing from previously enjoyed activities
  • Constant or repetitive dieting behaviours (e.g., counting calories, avoiding food groups such as fats or carbohydrates)
  • Skipping or avoiding meals
  • Eating large amounts of food at once
  • Using food as self-punishment (e.g., refusing to eat due to emotional reasons)
  • Excessive or secretive exercise
  • Obsessive rituals around food preparation and eating (e.g., eating very slowly or cutting food into very small pieces)
  • Secretive behaviour around food

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