Behavioral health conditions

Eating disorders

Although eating disorders are not very common in the population as a whole, morbidity is high and eating disorders’ mortality rate is the highest of any psychiatric diagnoses. Eating disorders can be among the most difficult afflictions for family members and friends to understand. Feelings of frustration and helplessness are common. Early diagnosis and treatment can save the life of a person with an eating disorder.

Refer to the resources below to help in screening and understanding eating disorders, and get your patients the care they need. 

 

  • Inadequate food intake or not eating at all
  • Intense fear of weight gain or obsession with weight
  • Self-esteem related to body image
  • Inability to appreciate the severity of the situation
  • Wearing loose, bulky clothes to hide weight loss
  • Preoccupation with food, dieting, counting calories
  • Avoids eating in front of others
  • Avoids certain foods such as carbs or fats