Signs and symptoms of an eating disorder

It’s common to believe you can “see” an eating disorder. However, they are mental illnesses, and changes in appearance don’t always occur. When they do, changes in behaviour and mood are often the first thing that is noticeable.

Signs of an eating disorder can vary from person to person. Although there are some signs and traits associated with particular eating disorders, a person does not have to experience all of them to be ill.

Some general signs that may be associated with an eating disorder include:

• Preoccupation with and/or secretive behaviour around food
• Self-consciousness when eating in front of others
• Low self-esteem
• Irritability and mood swings
• Tiredness
• Social withdrawal
• Feelings of shame, guilt, and anxiety
• Worries about weight and shape

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) can present differently to some of these general signs for example someone might be:

• Eating a range of foods but overall having much less food than is needed to stay healthy
• Taking a long time over mealtimes/finding eating a ‘chore’.
• Attempting to avoid social events where food would be present
• Feeling anxious at mealtimes, which may present as chewing very carefully, or taking small sips and bites, for example
• Developing nutritional deficiencies

You can read more about the signs and symptoms of each eating disorder on the following pages