Stressors like COVID-19, changes to daily routine, The Holidays, and major life transitions can trigger urges to step back into old behaviors, including Eating Disorder behaviors, as a way to cope with difficult emotions and maintain a semblance of control in a chaotic world.
Many will struggle under-the-radar. Make sure you are familiar with the warning signs below, and both seek help /urges others to seek help if needed.
Sudden weight loss or weight gain
Taking small bites / tearing food into small pieces
Preference to eat food in a certain order or in a certain way
Refusal to eat before or after certain times
Inflexible food choices
Preference for food of similar texture or color
Slowly eliminating food groups or categories from diet
Sudden increase in exercise
Sudden interest in fad dieting or "healthy eating"
Frequent bathroom use after meals
Loss of interest in social activities & hobbies
Increased mood irritability & emotional reactivity
Expresses fear of weight gain
Over-values body weight, shape and appearance
Frequent weighing and measuring body parts
Obsesses in mirror about certain aspects of body
Eating large amounts of food in short periods of time
Complains of guilt, disgust, sadness after eating
Requests frequent reassurance that they are not "fat"
Hair loss or thinning
Frequent complaints of stomach pain
Difficulty regulating body temperature
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