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Everyone has concerns about their weight or body image from time to time. But if those thoughts consume you and cause an unhealthy relationship with food, you may have an eating disorder.

Asking for help may feel overwhelming. But your primary care provider can help you find effective treatment options. Here’s how to recognize eating disorder symptoms, approach the subject with your doctor, and learn which treatments that can help.

What Are Eating Disorders?

Eating disorders are severe and complex mental health conditions. They affect your thoughts about food and your body image. Dieting or restricting certain foods on occasion is different.

Eating disorders cause an unhealthy obsession with food, body image, and weight. An eating disorder can cause serious health problems or become deadly if you don’t treat it.

Both women and men can develop eating disorders, but they’re more common in adolescent girls and young women. There are several types of eating disorders with varying symptoms. These are the most common:

• Anorexia nervosa — Causes you to severely restrict food and calories because of an intense fear of gaining weight. People with anorexia are often malnourished and underweight but still see themselves as overweight.
• Binge eating disorder — Causes a loss of control over your eating habits and an inability to stop eating, even when you’re full. People with binge eating disorder have recurring episodes of feeling like they can’t stop eating or control what they eat.
• Bulimia nervosa — Causes periods of binge eating followed by purging to get rid of extra calories. Purging may include vomiting after eating, using laxatives, or exercising excessively.
• Orthorexia — An obsession with “clean eating” or eating only healthful foods. It can affect social activities that involve food and in some cases lead to malnutrition. Doctors believe orthorexia is a form of obsessive-compulsive disorder.

What Are the Symptoms of Eating Disorders?

Eating disorders tend to develop slowly, and symptoms may worsen over time. Some people have only a few symptoms, while others have many.

Your chances of recovery are much higher with early intervention. So, it’s important to tell your health care provider if you have any of these eating disorder symptoms or risk factors:

• Anxiety or depression symptoms, such as excessive worrying or sadness.
• Dizziness when you stand up or fainting.
• Dry skin or hair.
• Extreme concern about your weight, body size, or shape.
• Feeling cold all the time.
• Feeling guilty or ashamed after eating large amounts of food.
• Frequently checking your weight or experiencing weight changes (up or down).
• Irregular or absent menstrual periods in women.
• Obsessing about calories, carbohydrates, protein, fat, or a food’s ingredients.
• Purging behaviors, like vomiting after eating or compulsively exercising to avoid weight gain.
• Refusing to eat certain foods or food groups.
• Skipping meals or making excuses to avoid eating.
• Withdrawing from friends, family, or outside activities.

Mental health and eating disorders

Many factors can trigger an eating disorder, but mental health plays a major role. Some neurodiverse conditions increase the risk of bulimia or binge eating disorder. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is an example of this.

Certain mood disorders can significantly increase the risk of developing an eating disorder. This is especially true of depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or social phobia.

Other mental health conditions that may increase the risk include:

• Avoidance behavior — The tendency to avoid thinking about or doing things that cause stress or discomfort.
• Body image dissatisfaction — This is especially common among teenage girls and young women.
• Perfectionism — People who set unrealistically high expectations for themselves have a much higher risk of developing eating disorders.
• Substance use disorder — People with eating disorders are more likely to harmfully use alcohol or illicit drugs compared to the general population.

How Do I Talk to My Doctor About an Eating Disorder?

Recovery requires professional help — and the sooner you get treatment, the better your odds of recovery.

Your primary care physician is the best starting point. Even though it’s scary and uncomfortable, discussing your symptoms and concerns is crucial. Eating disorders are more common than you might think, so they understand what you’re going through and how to help.

You can start the conversation at your annual wellness checkup. But you may wish to schedule a separate, longer appointment so you have more time to talk. Opening up to your doctor about your struggles is the first step toward recovery.

Before your appointment, make some notes about:

• Concerns you have about your eating habits, weight, or body image.
• Emotional or physical changes you’ve noticed and when they started.
• Purging behaviors, like vomiting, laxative use, or excessive exercise, and how often you do these.
• What you eat each day. It’s helpful to keep a food diary for a week or two before your visit.

Honesty is crucial so your doctor can fully understand your symptoms and triggers and recommend the best treatment.

What Are the Treatment Options for Eating Disorders?

Eating disorders are a mental health condition, but they can also have serious effects on your physical health. Therefore, coordinating care through your primary care doctor is vital. They can monitor your health throughout your treatment and refer you to the proper specialists for personalized care.

There’s no one-size-fits-all treatment for eating disorders. Most people benefit from a multidisciplinary treatment approach and a support system that includes a(n):

• Behavioral health therapist who specializes in eating disorders.
• Doctor or nurse practitioner.
• Family therapy or support groups if appropriate.
• Inpatient program if necessary.
• Medication if necessary.
• Peer support groups.
• Registered dietitian.

Make sure you ask about all treatment options and don’t hesitate to request several referrals if necessary. Feeling comfortable and connecting with each member of your treatment team are essential. Working with the right team improves your chances of recovery.

Managing an eating disorder requires hard work and dedication, and recovery is possible with help and a strong support system. Have the courage to have the first conversation — make an appointment to talk to your doctor today to get started.