What to Do When You Are Concerned About Your Loved One

"I don't know if my loved one has an eating disorder - what should I look for?"

Some important warning signs are listed in the Eating Disorders section of this website. You can also ask yourself (yes or no) whether you have observed any of the following:

1. I have found evidence my loved one is vomiting, using diet pills, water pills or laxatives.
2. My loved one refuses to allow others to prepare foods unless she or he knows exactly what is in the foods.
3. My loved one fasts and skips meals regularly.
4. My loved one shows evidence of excessive weight loss or weight gain unrelated to a known medical condition
5. My loved one engages in more than an hour of exercise a day outside of organized sports training
6. I have found evidence or seen my loved one engage in compulsive or secretive overeating.
7. My loved one consistently refuses or avoids foods she or he thinks are unsafe or non-diet.

If you responded with "yes" to any of the above, a professional evaluation for an eating disorder is strongly recommended. It is important to recognize that eating disorders are difficult and complex to diagnose. It is best to let a professional evaluate your loved one to determine if illness is present. Your alertness to signs and symptoms is very important for getting help. Early discovery and treatment speeds recovery.

• Family, friends, and carers
• Resources for carers
• • What to do when you are concerned
  • Approaching Your Loved One with Concerns
  • Expressing Concerns: What to say
  • Pitfalls
• Causes and myths
• Recovery
• Reactions of carers
• • Seeking professional treatment
  • Levels of care
  • Treatment goals
  • Professional treatment standards
• For schools
• Patients and carers speak