Warning Signs Checklist
Eating disorders show up in more than just eating habits. This checklist covers behavioral, physical, emotional, and social signs together, the way they usually show up in real life.
Check what applies to you
Based on what you checked, you’re not seeing a strong cluster of warning signs right now. If something still feels off, trust that instinct enough to keep an eye on it.
You checked a few signs across different categories. On their own, none of these prove anything — but a cluster like this is worth a closer look, ideally with a professional.
You checked several signs spanning behavioral, physical, and emotional categories. That pattern is worth taking seriously. A professional evaluation can help sort out what’s going on and what to do next.
Why these questions
This checklist intentionally spans behavioral, physical, emotional, and social categories together, because that’s how eating disorders tend to actually show up — rarely as a single isolated symptom. Items range from visible signs (weight change, dental or skin changes) to less visible ones (preoccupation with food or body image, withdrawal from friends and activities), because the less visible signs are often present earlier and are worth taking seriously even without a physical marker yet.
Want to talk it through?
Reflection is a starting point, not an endpoint. A brief conversation with someone who knows this territory can help you make sense of what you’re noticing.Related reading
Frequently asked questions
I’m worried about someone else, not myself — can I use this?
Yes — many people use this checklist while thinking about a friend or family member’s behavior, not just their own. If you check several signs for someone else, our Safety Red Flags guide and a consultation with our team are both good next steps.
Do I need to see all these signs for it to be worth taking seriously?
No — a cluster of signs across different categories (not just one) is what clinicians look for, but you don’t need to wait for every category to be represented before reaching out.