Eating disorders

What it can feel like

• Food rules, weight, or body checking occupying much of the day
• Restricting, binge eating, purging, or exercising compulsively
• Feeling out of control, ashamed, secretive, or afraid to eat with others
• Dizziness, weakness, fainting, stomach problems, or heart symptoms

What an evaluation considers

A clinician considers eating patterns, weight history without assumptions, compensatory behaviors, body image, mood, trauma, medications, vital signs, and medical stability.

First steps

Tell a trusted person, arrange medical and mental-health evaluation, avoid compensating after eating, and seek urgent care for fainting, chest pain, confusion, vomiting blood, or severe weakness.