In this blog, we have prepared a list of warning signs for an Eating Disorder and provided the DSM-V criteria for the three most common Eating Disorders: Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, and Binge Eating Disorder. If you can relate to several of the warning signs, it could be that you have an Eating Disorder, or you could be at risk of developing an Eating Disorder.It is important to seek help as soon as you suspect there is a problem – this blog concludes with important information on treating eating disorders and how to get help.
If you can relate to the warning signs, then it is possible that you may have an Eating Disorder. Approximately6% of the Australian population will experience an eating disorder, the three most common being Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, and Binge Eating Disorder. Following are the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders (DSM-V) criteria used by psychiatrists and psychologists to diagnose these Eating Disorders.
normal or, for children and adolescents, less than minimally expected.
interferes with weight gain, even though at a significantly low weight.
recognition of the seriousness of the current low body weight.
Anorexia Nervosa can be specified as “restricting type” in which there is no binge or purging behaviour; or “binge-eating/purging type” where this behaviour is present. The severity is also specified by the person’s BMI with Mild (BMI>17), Moderate (BMI 16-16.99), Severe (BMI 15-15.99), or Extreme (BMI<15).
that one cannot stop eating or control what or how much one is eating.
average, at least once a week for 3 months.
Bulmia Nervosa is specified as Mild (1-3 episodes of compensatory behaviours per week), Moderate (4-7 episodes of inappropriate compensatory behaviours per week), Severe (8-13 episodes of inappropriate compensatory behaviours per week), or Extreme (14 or more episodes of inappropriate compensatory behaviours per week).
that one cannot stop eating or control what or how much one is eating).
1. Eating much more rapidly than normal.
2. Eating until feeling uncomfortably full.
3. Eating large amounts of food when not feeling physically hungry.
4. Eating alone because of feeling embarrassed by how much one is eating.
5. Feeling disgusted with oneself, depressed, or very guilty afterwards.
C. Marked distress regarding binge eating is present.
D. The binge eating occurs, on average, at least once a week for 3 months.
the course of bulimia nervosa or anorexia nervosa.
The severity of Binge Eating Disorder can be classified as Mild (1-3 binge eating episodes of per week), Moderate (4-7 binge eating episodes per week), Severe (8-13 binge eating episodes of per week), or Extreme (14 or more binge eating episodes per week).
Eating Disorders are the most lethal mental health issue – more people die from Anorexia than any other mental health diagnoses. There are also a mired of adverse physical side effects to having an Eating Disorder such as gastroparesis, constipation, stomach ruptures, malnutrition, pancreatitis, neurological symptoms such as numbness, tingling, dizziness and seizures, menorrhea, hypothermia, dehydration and kidney failure, lowered blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, and even heart failure (NEDA, 2019).To avoid these serious complications it is important to get help.
Treatment will often involve your doctor, a dietician, a psychologist and possibly a psychiatrist. Inpatient treatments are recommended where BMI are lower than 15. You can read more about the components of psychological treatment of Eating Disorders here.
If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these warning signs, please seek help by speaking to your GP whom can make referrals to establish your multi-disciplinary treatment team. If you wish to utilise our service for psychological treatment, you may wish to download our Referral Factsheet Here and take this to your GP.
Disclaimer: Content on this website is provided for education and information purposes only and is not intended to replace advise from your doctor or registered health professional. Readers are urged to consult their registered practitioner for diagnosis and treatment for their medical concerns.
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.).