If you are worried about having an eating disorder, take the test below. If your score is 45 or higher we recommend you talk to a eating disorder treatment professional about your concern.
For each of the following statements score as follows:
I binge (eat large amounts of food in a short period of time.)
_____ 8.
There are days when I don't eat at all.
_____ 9.
I make myself throw up.
_____ 10.
I use laxatives or diuretics to control my weight.
_____ 11.
I avoid social events because of my weight.
_____ 12.
My weight prevents me from accomplishing other goals in life.
_____ 13.
If I cannot exercise to burn off calories, I panic.
_____ 14.
I feel depressed when I look through fashion magazines.
_____ 15.
I eat for emotional comfort or to relieve stress or depression.
_____ 16.
I eat sensibly in front of others and make up for it when I am alone.
_____ 17.
I feel self-conscious around thin people.
_____ 18.
I divide food in two categories: "good" and "bad".
_____ 19.
I feel out of control with food.
_____ 20.
I dislike my body.
_____ Total
If you score higher than 45 you may have an eating disorder.
If you require assistance in locating a safe and effective eating disorder program, please call the national eating disorder treatment helpline at 1-800-941-5313.
Anorexia Nervosa
Individuals with anorexia refuse to maintain a minimal body weight and exhibit marked body image disturbance. Symptoms of anorexia may include:
Ritualistic eating, eating the same low calorie, low fat foods day after day
Obsessive preoccupation with food yet eating very little
Social Isolation
Compulsive exercise and excessive exercise
Mood Swings
Denial that anything is wrong
Loss of menstruation
Anorexia Nervosa is a dangerous disorder. More people die each year from anorexia than any other psychiatric disorder.
If the process of locating the best eating disorder treatment program for you becomes confusing and a bit overwhelming, you can always call the national eating disorder helpline at 1-800-941-5313.
Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia Nervosa is characterized by reoccurring episodes of binge eating (eating large, excessive amounts of food in a relatively short period of time), followed by purging to avoid weight gain. Purging may include self-induced vomiting, compulsive and excessive exercising, fasting or dieting, the use of laxatives, diuretics, diet pills.
Symptoms of Bulimia May Include:
Depression
Suicidal thoughts
Social Isolation
Secretive Behavior
Increasingly eating alone
Mood Swings
Impulsive Behavior that may include drug use
The medical complications of Bulimia are dangerous as are the emotional side effects from this eating disorder. More people suffering from bulimia die of suicide than medical complications.
Compulsive overeaters or people with a binge eating disorder feel out of control with food. Once they start eating they feel as if they cannot stop. They repeatedly diet in order to try to regain control. Many compulsive overeaters feel they overeat at each meal and depression is common as their repeated efforts to change have failed. Others eat more normally at meals but binge eat with out active purging on a regular basis. These binges feel out of their control. Many are overweight and feel extreme shame and isolate themselves which increases feelings of low self-esteem and depression.
Medical complications include diabetes, heart disease and hypertension.
If you require assistance in locating a safe and effective eating disorder program, please call our national eating disorder treatment helpline at 1-800-941-5313.
