Signs Someone in your Life is Struggling

People that suffer from eating disorders often go without being treated. Why? Because the people in their life don't know the signs. That's what this blog is all about, recognizing the signs. For me, I didn't believe I had an eating disorder because no one told me I did. I was waiting for someone to ask if I was okay or to tell me I needed to seek help. The longer an eating disorder lives, the harder it is to recover. I want to help anyone reading this learn what to look out for.

1. Weight
If one is obsessed with weight, needs to reach a goal weight, weighs themselves regularly, etc. they may be struggling with an eating disorder. If there is a noticeable change in weight (either gain or loss) that is a sign they may be struggling as well.

2. Exercise
Working out every day no matter how they feel, if they're sick, in pain, exhausted, not in the mood to work out, that's a sign. If they are skipping events, or not seeing friends because they feel the need to work out, that's also a sign. If they're working out to compensate for something they ate or something they're going to eat, that's disordered. This is something that society has taught to be normal but it's not healthy and is, in fact, a warning sign. Becoming obsessed with fitness trackers can also become an issue and lead to harmful behavior like calorie counting (calorie counting is also a sign).

3. Needs to have control over their food
If they are uncomfortable eating out because it's not what they made, or having something they didn't plan on eating.

4. Regimented eating habits
If they only eat at certain times, or only eat what they consider "safe foods" (for me it was grilled cheese) and never eating outside of those times. If they only use a certain plate or utensil to eat that may be a sign.

5. Food rituals
Food rituals can be hard to spot sometimes. They can be as simple as eating slowly or taking small bites, or they can be more extreme like cutting up food into small pieces or mixing all of their food together. Food rituals are a big sign of eating disorders, they're used to decrease anxiety felt while eating.

6. Body checking
Body checking is often pulling the skin to check fat on the body, but it can also be weighing oneself regularly, pinching, and checking their size frequently.

7. Intermittent fasting or dieting
This is a loud sign of disordered eating. If they are going a day without eating or skipping a meal every day, that's a very clear sign. Claiming to be vegan or gluten-free may be a reason to cut out food from their diet.

Of course, this isn't a definitive list. There are more signs out there. Here are a couple links I used for this blog with more information on what to look for.
https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/blog/7-signs-your-friend-or-loved-one-might-be-struggling-eating-disorder
https://www.livescience.com/36205-eating-disorder-signs-symptoms-anorexia-bulimia.html
https://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20665980,00.html?
https://www.self.com/story/10-subtle-signs-someone-you-love-might-have-an-eating-disorder

As you read these warning signs, don't forget to check in with yourself. If you think you've been doing any of these habits, ask for help. Simmons has a great dietician that's at the health center and the counseling center has therapists on call if you need a professional to talk to. Additionally, there are multiple helplines.
(800) 931-2237
(866) 418-1207
(630) 577-1330
(505) 891-2664
(617) 558-1881

Don't be afraid to ask for help. As my dietician told me, no one regrets going into care. You can also talk to me, writing this blog has made me a lot more open about talking to people about my struggle and recovery and I'm open to talking even more.