Identify the Warning Signs

Julie LaJoe

Julie LaJoe, MA, LPC
Behavioral Health Counselor
Desert Mission Community Health Center

National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) provides a short screening tool for ages 13 and up to help determine the need of seeking professional treatment for eating disorders. Go to: nationaleatingdisorders.org
Before you can treat a problem, you must be able to know the signs of the problem and be able to identify it.

The following are warning signs of eating disorders:

1-Changes in weight.
2-Preoccupation with body image.
3-Disruptions in eating patterns.
4-Becoming overly focused on nutritional content or calories in foods – good/bad foods and safe/unsafe foods.
5-Exercise patterns change – becoming disturbed if pattern of exercise is disrupted, restricting food intake to make up for it.
6-Mood fluctuations.
7-Use of laxatives or diet pills.
8-Changes in physical symptoms.
o Hair loss.
o Irregular menses.
o Dental problems from self-induced vomiting.
o Chronic constipation.
o Gastro-intestinal problems.
o Low energy.
o Low blood pressure.

Resources:
https://www.remudaranch.com/about/eating-disorder-warning-signs

NOAH is an integrated health care facility with primary medical care, pediatrics, internal medicine, dental, psychiatric, behavioral health, and nutrition services. NOAH providers can assess and help formulate a treatment plan that addresses holistic needs of individuals with eating disorders. If you have concerns that you or a loved one is struggling with an eating disorder, please schedule an appointment with one of our providers and discuss your concerns.

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