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Facing eating disorders like anorexia nervosa (AN) in your own life or that of a loved one can be a daunting task. But it's not totally desperate; there are many ways you may be able to help.
Current research indicates that early detection and intervention are crucial for decreasing the risk of long-term illness and medical complications from disorders like AN, bulimia nervosa (BN), and binge eating disorder (BED).5
As there is no guaranteed way to prevent AN, detecting these early warning signs of anorexia is one of the best ways to help people get the treatment they need as quickly as possible and give them the best chance for long-term recovery.
According to the National Eating Disorders Association, early signs of anorexia can be divided into two main categories: emotional/behavioral signs and physical signs.3
Emotional and behavioral signs are just what they sound like—anorexia warning signs that can present through someone's behavioral and emotional reactions.
If you or a loved one are expressing some of these emotional symptoms, it doesn't necessarily mean they're early signs of anorexia, but they likely indicate that some type of deeper problem is in play:3
Dressing in layers to hide body changes or stay warm
Preoccupation with weight, food, calories, fat grams, and dieting
Restrictive eating
Frequent self-judgment about body shape and size
Denying feeling hungry
Developing food rituals
Cooking meals for others without eating
Avoiding mealtimes or situations involving food
Maintaining an excessive, rigid exercise regimen despite weather, fatigue, illness, or injury
Becoming reclusive
Concerned about eating in public
Limited social spontaneity
Intense fear of gaining weight
Disturbed experience of body weight or shape, undue influence of weight or shape on self-evaluation, or inability to perceive body size accurately
Feeling ineffective
Has a strong need for control
Has overly restrained initiative and emotional expression
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Physical anorexia warning signs
Again, the physical warning signs of anorexia are essentially what they sound like—physical signs that someone may be struggling with AN or another serious condition. As the eating disorder progresses, these physical symptoms may become more visible or extreme.
Some common physical early signs of anorexia include:3
Dramatic weight loss (does not always occur in AN due to variation in genetic response to energy restriction)
It is also important to note the impact of risk factors associated with the development of anorexia nervosa and be especially aware of anorexia warning signs developing in individuals who are at higher risk for the mental illness.
The term “risk factor” refers to a quantifiable characteristic preceding a disorder's onset. According to a study specifically dedicated to risk factors of AN, they can be divided into four categories: personal vulnerability, environmental, dieting vulnerability, and age.4
Personal warning signs of anorexia describe different biological, genetic, and familial issues that can contribute to the development of AN. These issues can be further classified into several subcategories, including:4
Early anorexia signs that are environmental in nature are related to outside experiences and interactions with other people, especially those close to us. Some environmental warning signs of anorexia include the following.4
Parental interactions:
Low parental contact
Separation from parents
Parental arguments, criticism, high expectations, over-involvement, under-involvement, minimal affection
The risk of vulnerability to dieting and the mythos of toxic diet culture can also play a role in contributing to the development of anorexia nervosa or other eating disorders. Some examples of these early signs of anorexia include:4
Family member dieting
Critical comments by family about shape, weight, or eating
Teasing about shape, weight, eating, or appearance
Having parents who are in higher weight bodies Being in a higher weight body as a child or prior to the disorder
Parental eating disorder
Finding help for anorexia nervosa
Anorexia nervosa is a serious illness that can have significant psychological, physical, and social impacts on individuals who are struggling, as well as their families and communities. It can result in long-term medical complications and even death.
Early detection and intervention are linked to better treatment outcomes and reduced chances of long-term illness of AN left. While there is no guaranteed way to prevent AN, awareness of risk factors, attentiveness to early warning signs, and access to immediate and supportive care are important ways to facilitate the best possible outcome.
Community support can also help reduce feelings of shame and isolation for individuals with AN and other EDs and enable earlier access to specialized treatment and support.1,2
Treatment wherever you are
If you think you or someone you know may be struggling with anorexia nervosa, learning more and reaching out for advice and support are essential steps towards healing.
You can also reach out to us at Within Health. Our team of multidisciplinary experts can help detect and understand the many factors that work to develop and maintain AN and help someone overcome this range of concerns.
Disclaimer about "overeating": Within Health hesitatingly uses the word "overeating" because it is the term currently associated with this condition in society, however, we believe it inherently overlooks the various psychological aspects of this condition which are often interconnected with internalized diet culture, and a restrictive mindset about food. For the remainder of this piece, we will therefore be putting "overeating" in quotations to recognize that the diagnosis itself pathologizes behavior that is potentially hardwired and adaptive to a restrictive mindset.
Disclaimer about weight loss drugs: Within does not endorse the use of any weight loss drug or behavior and seeks to provide education on the insidious nature of diet culture. We understand the complex nature of disordered eating and eating disorders and strongly encourage anyone engaging in these behaviors to reach out for help as soon as possible. No statement should be taken as healthcare advice. All healthcare decisions should be made with your individual healthcare provider.
