Disordered Eating Test
The thought of putting on weight fills me with fear.
I'd prefer to skip eating entirely rather than consume something that might add pounds.
My self-worth is closely tied to the number on the scale.
A small weight increase wouldn't really affect me.
Sometimes I consume food so quickly and in such large amounts that I lose all sense of control.
I'd feel humiliated if others found out about the quantity of food I eat.
Following a big meal, I typically miss the next few meals to compensate.
I devote significant time to examining my body and picking out imperfections.
Eating more is my go-to response when I'm feeling down or stressed.
I induce vomiting or use laxatives to prevent weight gain.
Overeating leaves me feeling disgusted with myself or deeply ashamed.
I'll tell lies or come up with excuses to get out of eating when others are around.
To me, weight is just a figure—it doesn't say anything about who I am.
I see giving in to hunger as a personal failing.
During workouts, my main focus is on tracking how many calories I'm using up.
The volume of food I eat sometimes brings on feelings of depression.
There's something I really like about the sensation of an empty stomach.
I keep a lengthy mental list of foods I consider off-limits.
Missing a workout session makes me incredibly distressed.
Even when I'm painfully full, I often can't seem to stop eating.
20 questions remaining
What You Should Know
- The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) now lists six eating disorders: anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder, avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), rumination disorder, and pica.
- Anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorders are the ones that are most closely linked to fears of gaining weight and shame about how your body looks.
- If someone is obsessed with eating healthy and "clean" foods, they may have orthorexia. Some people find the term useful for understanding their thoughts and actions about food, even though it isn't an official diagnosis.
- A lot of people think that eating disorders only affect young women. Teenage and young adult women are more likely to have eating disorders than anyone else, but anyone can have them, no matter their age, gender, or race.
- Eating disorders can be caused by a number of biological, psychological, and social factors. They tend to run in families and are linked to traits like perfectionism. Being in a culture that puts too much value on being thin may also be a factor.
- People can have disordered eating habits, like worrying about their weight or feeling ashamed about eating, without having an eating disorder. But you don't have to have a diagnosis for therapy to help.
- Treatment for eating disorders may include therapy, help with nutrition, and medical care. Disordered eating behaviors that do not meet the criteria for an eating disorder diagnosis can still benefit from therapeutic intervention.
Change Now
Think about going to therapy. It can help you deal with your negative thoughts and boost your self-esteem, even if you don't have an eating disorder.
Get help. Eating problems can make you feel alone. Talking to trusted loved ones about your problems can help you heal and feel less alone.
Stop using social media for a while. Looking at pictures of "perfect" bodies can make bad habits worse. If you need to, unfollow accounts that bother you and walk away.
