Eating Disorder: Two signs are harbingers of eating disorder

In order to be able to help those affected in your closest circle, it is first and foremost crucial that you recognize the signs.

Depending on the type of eating disorder, however, these can look different – and symptoms can also vary from person to person.

Being underweight is common adopted as the crucial clue that someone has an eating disorder. However, physical expression is not the only and, above all, not the most reliable indicator.

Very slim people do not always have to have a difficult relationship with food and not all of them People with an eating disorder are thin or underweight. However, there are other signs that you can tell that someone is affected.

Fit For Fun lists the most important signs.

1. Changed attitudes towards food and food – and that in the context of one’s own body image

Most common eating disorders come in the form of anorexia nervosa, bulimia Nervosa and the so-called binge eating disorder . Despite the different manifestations, these three have in common that they express themselves through a changed behavior and a changed attitude towards food and food .

Eating too much, eating too little as well as exercise – i.e. calorie consumption – against the Balancing food intake can be symptoms.

Often with an eating disorder there is also a strong focus on body images and one’s own appearance, but also the comparison with others.

2. Restrictive Weight Control Behavior

Having your own weight under control is a crucial endeavor in an eating disorder. Various techniques are used for this. In addition to restrictive eating, this can also be excessive exercise or other compensation strategies such as vomiting or purging.

Compensation techniques usually come into play when the target amount has been eaten or food that is assigned to the categories ‘bad’ or ‘bad’ has been consumed .

Binge eating or binge eating are often associated with restrictive or compensatory eating behavior from a certain point onwards. These are then often associated with shame or even self-hatred.

Provide help: You see signs and want to help?

If you have noticed in your immediate environment that someone has an eating disorder, the first step has been taken, the much more difficult one, namely to provide the right help , but is still pending.

The Federal headquarters for health education (BZgA) gives important advice on appropriate behavior towards those affected and also points out what you should absolutely avoid.

Looking for an open conversation
It is not uncommon for attempts to keep deviating eating behavior secret. Therefore, if you notice this, it is important that you seek the conversation. If the person concerned is not yet ready, make at least an offer to speak.

Assure support
It is important that you do not take the rejection personally and keep trying. Sometimes it takes some patience here. However, it is essential to wait for the person concerned to take the initiative.

This can only be useful if he or she wants to use your help. Make it clear that you are there as soon as you are ready to talk, want to support and not judge.

Avoid blame, accusations and warnings
Not to be judged and not to be blamed , is particularly important. This would only lead to deviating eating behavior being further concealed and thus worsening unnoticed. See also warnings and assumptions.

Listen and try to understand First convey in I-messages which changes you have observed and why these are causing you concern. Instead of talking a lot, however, try to listen more and give the space to speak openly about feelings.

Avoid trigger topics
You may find it difficult to understand the thoughts of your counterpart. However, reassurances like ‘But you are not fat at all’ or ‘You are good the way you are’ are often not helpful.

It is best to try Avoid trigger topics such as weight, figure and ideals of beauty as a matter of principle. Also show that you are not reducing the person to the eating disorder, but continue to see the individual and put their feelings in the foreground.

Further Steps: Seek professional help

In many cases, it makes most sense to seek professional help. Therefore try to encourage this – the sooner the better – but it is still important not to exert any pressure.

For example, you can also provide support in obtaining information Find contact details of contact points and thus facilitate the step of making contact. Then ask whether it is desired that you accompany the person concerned to the contact point, to the doctor or psychologist.

Dignify in the Process even small successes without making the fight against the eating disorder the main thing. Positive things should be given conscious attention regardless of the eating disorder.

Also, make sure that you are doing well helping someone else. If the illness of the other person is very stressful for you, you are of no great help to him or her.

You can set up support groups for friends and families of Find those affected. The exchange with people who are in similar situations to yours can relieve you and give you space for your needs and worries in this matter.