- Persistent body-image distortions
- Excessive fear of gaining weight
- Excessive efforts made to pursue being thin
- Preoccupation with thoughts of food
- Not eating in public
- Frail physical appearance
- Poor attention and cognition
- New onset seizures
- Cardiac arrhythmia and cardiac failure
- Constipation and abdominal distention
- Bone pain and deformities
- Skeletal muscle wasting
- Dry skin
- Brittle nails
- Erosion of tooth enamel
- Persistent body-image distortions
- Excessive fear of gaining weight
- Uncontrollable urge to overeat with subsequent feelings of guilt thereafter
- Self-induced vomiting, laxative abuse, excessive exercise, and food restriction as compensatory efforts to reduce caloric intake
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Edema
- Constipation
- Salivary gland enlargement
- Calluses on the back of the hands (as a result of stimulating the gag reflex to induce vomiting)
- Erosion of tooth enamel
Related reading: what to expect from anorexia treatment.
Signs and Symptoms of Binge Eating Disorder
Binge eating disorder (BED) is the most common eating disorder in the United States, yet it is frequently missed because there are no compensatory behaviors like purging. Warning signs include:
- Recurrent episodes of eating unusually large amounts of food, with a sense of being unable to stop
- Eating in secret; hiding food, wrappers, or packaging
- Eating when not physically hungry, often in response to stress or difficult emotions
- Strong feelings of shame, guilt, or distress after eating
Learn more about binge eating disorder treatment.
Other Eating Disorders to Know
Not every eating disorder fits the anorexia or bulimia pattern. Two of the most overlooked are:
- ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) — limiting food by texture, fear of choking, or low interest in eating, without body-image distortion.
- OSFED (Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder) — serious, distressing symptoms that do not meet the full criteria for another diagnosis, and just as deserving of care.
One important note: eating disorders affect people of every race, gender, age, body size, and income level. The idea that they primarily affect one group is an outdated stereotype that contributes to people being missed or dismissed.
When to Reach Out for Help
An eating disorder does not have to look “severe” to be real, and a person can be seriously ill at any body size. If these signs sound familiar, it is worth talking to a professional — early support leads to better outcomes.
Take our free eating disorder self-test, see who we treat, explore our treatment programs, or read where to start when getting help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the early warning signs of an eating disorder?
Early signs are often behavioral before they are physical: skipping meals or eating in secret, rigid food rules, preoccupation with food or body, frequent body-checking, pulling away from meals with others, and mood changes around eating. You do not need visible physical symptoms for the concern to be real.
Can you have an eating disorder at any weight?
Yes. Eating disorders occur across every body size. Someone can be seriously ill without being underweight, which is one reason these conditions are so often missed.
Do eating disorders only affect women?
No. They are diagnosed more often in women, but eating disorders affect people of every gender, age, race, and background, and are frequently underdiagnosed in men and older adults.
When should I seek help for an eating disorder?
As soon as you notice the signs, in yourself or someone you care about. You do not have to wait until things feel “bad enough.” Early support leads to better outcomes, and a brief assessment can clarify next steps.
