If you're wondering about how to decide whether eating disorder treatment is appropriate for you, there are a few things to consider. Do you know what eating disorder behavior looks like? If so, do you know where to go next?
Eating Disorder Symptoms Can Help in Decision to Seek Treatment
Any formal diagnosis of an eating disorder must come from a qualified professional, but your awareness of possible symptoms can bring you closer to asking for the help you may need.
Has your weight dropped a lot? Do you eat a great deal of food and then purge it afterward? Are you having other physical problems that you may not have had before your eating behaviors changed?
Or maybe you're concerned about your thinking. Do you spend hours each day thinking of food? Do you find yourself completely absorbed in finding out the exact calories in a half-inch cube of cheddar cheese and lots of other foods? Have you heard other people tell you how thin you look, while you believe that you're desperately overweight?
And what are the thoughts about yourself that run through your head? Do you constantly deal with self-talk like, "I'm a fat pig," "My friends are only there for me out of pity," or "Did I really think that I deserved those crackers? I need to hit the road and run six miles?" This kind of self-punishment is often like a recording in the minds of those with eating disorders.
The symptoms that accompany eating disorders are different for each type:
All of these symptoms may be indicators of an eating disorder. But you'll want to get expert opinions before deciding to enter treatment or not.
Is It Time for You to Seek Eating Disorder Treatment?
You may be the one who's concerned about your thoughts around food, eating, or body image. Or maybe you're not that worried, but someone else is. Someone may be bothering you all the time, saying that you need to get help.
There's really only one way to settle the questions, no matter who's asking them -- get a professional evaluation from a qualified clinician.
That may be the last thing you feel like doing. But going to see someone -- a doctor, therapist, or dietitian who is knowledgeable about eating disorders -- can give you information you need. If the clinician reassures you that your behaviors are normal, you can enjoy the feeling of relief. And if you do get a recommendation for treatment or further evaluation, then you've learned something important.
You should take action. Here are some starting points to connect you with treatment providers:
Eating Disorder Questionnaires to Spur Your Thinking
Not ready to see a pro, but you still want more input right away? Researchers have created tools that help you evaluate whether an eating disorder may be present. Keep in mind that no questionnaire is 100% accurate (and thus not a substitute for a professional evaluation), but the results from these tools are accurate enough to be taken quite seriously.
