Eating disorders can be hard to detect. Some people will hide it from family, friends and their doctor. However, recovery is not only possible, it’s probable when people get treatment early.
Eating disorders affect people of all ages and from all walks of life. At Melrose Center, we’ve treated patients as young as 6. And we’ve treated patients as old as 82. It may surprise you that binge eating disorder affects men and women at similar rates. And you might also not expect that it’s often diagnosed when people are in their 30s and 40s. When it comes to anorexia and bulimia, 1 out of every 4 patients is a man – which is a fact you might not have realized, either.
It’s important for families to know the early warning signs of eating disorders. That’s because they can play a key role in getting their loved ones help. That’s true no matter how old the person struggling is. And it’s true no matter what their gender is.
Commonly overlooked signs of eating disorders
- Eliminating food groups from everyday meals
- Skipping whole meals
- Eating in secret
- Filling up only on low-calorie foods
- Becoming distant from friends
- Making excuses for not eating with friends or family
- Overeating, restrictive eating or eating fast
- Having difficult emotions around eating
- Constantly talking about food, calories and weight
- Over-exercising to make up for eating
Interested in learning more?
Visit melroseheals.com or call 952-993-4100.
Learn more in the Melrose Heals podcast
During each episode of the Melrose Heals podcast, Karen L. Nelson, a licensed clinical psychologist at Melrose Center, hosts honest conversations about the topics near and dear to people and families impacted by eating disorders. We hope you’ll listen and start healing.