How Accurate Are Online Eating Disorder Quizzes?
Eating disorders like anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder, and other specified feeding or eating disorders (OSFED) can affect people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds. Each of these eating disorders generally has specific symptoms differentiating them from the others, but many of them involve a preoccupation with weight and food, as well as various secretive behaviors. While some online eating disorder quizzes may help you determine whether you or a loved one may be living with disordered eating habits, online quizzes cannot replace the expertise of a licensed medical or mental health professional. If you’d like to seek help for issues related to eating or other mental health challenges, online therapy can be an excellent place to start.
Who do eating disorders impact?
Eating disorders can affect people of all ages, races, genders, and abilities. People may also experience these conditions in all areas of the world.
What is an eating disorder?
Multiple conditions can be classified under the category of eating disorders. In this section, we’ll discuss some of the most common types of disordered eating.
Binge eating disorder (BED)
Binge-eating disorder (BED) is a condition in which an individual may eat large amounts of food at one time and may feel that their behavior is out of control. With this disorder, the person generally does not purge afterward.
This disorder can be far more complex than simply "eating too much" or overeating. A person with BED usually feels ashamed, guilty, or very distressed after a binge. Their binges may be characterized by eating more rapidly than someone ordinarily would, eating large amounts of food when not hungry, and eating alone to avoid others observing their behavior.
Bulimia nervosa
Bulimia nervosa is another condition where a person may binge-eat, but unlike those with BED, a person with bulimia normally engages in compensatory behavior following that binge (purging). This usually takes the form of self-induced vomiting. Other possible purging behaviors can include fasting, taking laxatives, or exercising excessively. Much like those with BED, people with bulimia often practice binging and purging behaviors in secret. They may feel ashamed or out of control during these episodes, potentially making it hard to speak out. According to the DSM-5, these episodes must generally occur for three months at least once a week for bulimia to be diagnosed.
Anorexia nervosa
Anorexia nervosa can be a complex condition with a variety of potential contributing factors, but no known single cause. Anorexia is categorized primarily by self-starvation. A person who has anorexia is usually fixated on losing weight or a fear of gaining weight. This fear can be all-consuming and may be paired with body dysmorphia. In addition to self-starvation, people with anorexia may engage in a variety of other behaviors, such as excessive exercise and the use of diuretics.
Other specified feeding or eating disorders (OSFED)
Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorders, or OSFED, is an umbrella term typically used for feeding or eating disorders that don't necessarily meet the criteria for other diagnoses. OSFED can be extremely harmful and no less severe than other eating disorders. OSFED is sometimes used to describe those with conditions such as atypical anorexia nervosa or purging disorder. This diagnosis may also be given to someone who has experienced the symptoms of BED or bulimia for less than three months.
Warning signs of eating disorders
Eating disorders are often extremely serious and can be life-threatening if they are not treated. It can be important to know what to look out for if you think that you or someone you know may be living with an eating disorder.
What are some of the warning signs of binge-eating disorder?
If you're not sure about whether you or someone you know has binge-eating disorder, then you might pay attention to some of these warning signs:
- Extreme concern with body shape and weight
- Frequent diets and withdrawing from friends or social situations
- Reluctance to eat in front of other people
- Stealing or hoarding food in strange places
- Cutting out entire food groups, like dairy, carbs, or sugars
- Fluctuations in weight or feelings of low self-esteem
- Frequent stomach cramps and other gastrointestinal issues
- Difficulty concentrating on things that they previously found engaging
What are the signs of anorexia nervosa?
When someone has anorexia, their mind may be consumed by their illness. As a result of this, they may isolate themselves socially, act in a way that is "not like themselves," or become highly secretive. That said, many people can be good at hiding their condition and may make excuses to cover up their behavior. You might see significant weight loss, and a person may become noticeably underweight. Some of the other common symptoms of anorexia can be brittle hair and nails, dry skin, complaints of frequent headaches, dizziness or fainting, and abnormal blood work.
What are the signs of bulimia nervosa?
Episodes of binging and purging usually categorize bulimia. Typically, someone who experiences bulimia will try to conceal their behavior from those around them and may go to great lengths to do so. After eating a large amount of food, a person with bulimia may vomit afterward, so if someone excuses themselves to use the bathroom after every meal, that could be a potential warning sign. They might also misuse diuretics, laxatives, or exercise to purge. People with bulimia may become depressed or irritable. You might notice broken blood capillaries under their eyes from the force of the vomiting. Other symptoms could include GI issues, secretive behavior, isolation, facial swelling, a sore throat, abnormal blood work, or electrolyte imbalances.
The health consequences of eating disorders
Eating disorders can be destructive, painful illnesses to live with. People often feel helpless, but recovery can be possible.
Binge eating disorder
In the case of BED (binge-eating disorder), weight cycling or yo-yo dieting can take place, which may put a strain on your heart. If you do not consume enough calories regularly, it can take a toll on your cardiovascular system because the body may break down its tissues to use as fuel. Your pulse and blood pressure can drop as the heart may have less fuel than it needs to pump blood throughout your body.
Even though the brain is only about three pounds in weight, it needs approximately one-fifth of the calories that you ingest to function as it should. If you are starving yourself in between binge sessions, the brain may not get the energy that it needs. You may not be able to concentrate, and you may begin to obsess over food out of an instinct for self-preservation.
Your gastrointestinal system can be harmed by BED. This condition can cause blood sugar to fluctuate, which can make you feel faint or pass out. Binge-eating may cause the stomach to rupture in severe cases, which can create a life-threatening emergency.
Bulimia
In the case of bulimia, a person might develop cardiac complications such as an irregular heartbeat. They may also experience heart failure stemming from an electrolyte imbalance, which is why it can be important to seek treatment as soon as you can if you have bulimia. Someone with bulimia may become dangerously dehydrated. They will likely lose sodium, potassium, and chloride from the body, all of which can be essential to basic bodily functions. As with BED, there may be a possibility of stomach rupture in those with bulimia.
Anorexia
Anorexia may also come with a high risk of heart problems and heart failure. An individual's bones may become brittle, and they might develop osteoporosis or osteopenia. Moreover, they may experience fainting from low blood sugar or other complications. They might have muscle weakness or muscle loss, and their kidneys can fail because of dehydration. Those who have periods may experience loss of their menstrual cycle or abnormalities in their menstrual cycle.
Eating disorder tests
If you search the internet, you may find tests that claim to be able to help you determine if you might have the symptoms of an eating disorder. When you take an eating disorder test, you may answer each question on a scale from "Not at All" to "All the Time." The queries may be things like, "Have you had the desire for a flat stomach?" and, "Have you felt fat?" At the end of the quiz, they'll generally give you their opinion on whether there's a possibility that you have an eating disorder. One of the most reputable online quizzes for eating disorders can be found on the National Eating Disorder Association website.
How effective are online eating disorder tests?
If you're searching for an eating disorder test online, it likely means you're wondering whether you could have an eating disorder. Considering the many health risks that can be associated with eating disorders, it may be imperative that you seek help. Early detection can help you avoid some of the long-term effects of eating disorders, but it may never be too late to get help and start recovery.
Seek out a therapist specializing in different eating disorders
If you're experiencing symptoms of an eating disorder, it can be crucial to talk to your doctor. You might ask if they have a recommendation for a therapist who specializes in the treatment of eating disorders. It can be best to make a preliminary appointment with that provider, as they will likely be able to give you a more accurate diagnosis than any online quiz.
For immediate assistance, you can call the National Eating Disorder Association Helpline at 1-800-931-2237 (M-Th: 9 AM-9 PM EST, Fri 9 AM - 5 PM EST).
Tell loved ones about the situation
You might have the urge to hide what is happening from your family or loved ones. It can be common to have intense feelings of shame or guilt about living with an eating disorder. However, research indicates that when families are involved in the eating disorder recovery process, there is often a higher level of success. Your family can be part of the support network you deserve so that you can get well and develop a healthier relationship with food.
Online therapy can be an option
Reaching out for help with an eating disorder can be challenging. Some individuals experiencing disordered eating may have an especially hard time talking about their problems in person. This could be due to shame around the disorder or difficulty going out in public for fear of judgment. Whatever the case, online therapy for eating disorders can offer an alternative. In this setting, you may feel more comfortable opening up about your feelings and challenges.
A recent study found evidence that certain types of online therapy for eating disorders, such as imaginal exposure therapy, were typically associated with positive outcomes. These included fewer symptoms of disordered eating as well as a decrease in fear of food and weight gain.
Takeaway
Why is it important for people to know about eating disorders?
Eating disorders are relatively common and can affect almost anybody. Understanding how eating disorders work and what can be done to help may make it easier for an individual showing signs of an eating disorder to get treatment. It may also make it easier for individuals to seek support.
Lowering the barrier to treatment is important because eating disorders have several negative effects on mental and physical health. Anorexia can leave a person severely malnourished, and it is possible to develop heart problems or other severe, even fatal, health concerns. Bulimia and its frequent purge behaviors can lead to electrolyte imbalances, rapid tooth decay, or rupture of the esophagus.
In addition to understanding the potential health consequences of eating disorders, it is important to spread awareness to reduce the stigma surrounding them. Many people believe that people with eating disorders are more to blame for their condition than those with other mental health concerns, like depression or bipolar disorder. Despite common misconceptions, eating disorders are valid mental health conditions that require appropriate management and treatment.
What do people think about people with eating disorders?
While mental health issues are already stigmatized, eating disorders experience more stigma than other mental illnesses. Many people believe that those with eating disorders have more control over their condition than someone with another type of mental condition, like depression.
Most people are more likely to display negative emotions and withdraw socially from someone with an eating disorder than other mental health conditions. Despite common misconceptions, eating disorders are mental disorders requiring the same support from professionals, friends, and family to treat adequately. It is crucial to reduce the stigma surrounding eating disorders and help others recognize that those with them are not responsible for their condition.
How do people who develop eating disorders feel about their body?
Eating disorders are associated with an unhealthy preoccupation with food, weight gain, and body shape. Those with eating disorders often feel fat, even if they are severely underweight, and may feel disgusted by their body shape. A key feature of an eating disorder is that unhealthy eating behavior is done to avoid gaining weight. Eating disorders and other conditions, like body dysmorphic disorder, are characterized by a distorted body image. However, while eating disorders are primarily associated with avoiding weight gain, body dysmorphic disorder can involve any preoccupation with the body's appearance, not just gaining weight.
What is it called when someone doesn't want to eat?
Avoiding food intake and limiting eating as much as possible, even when feeling physically hungry, is commonly associated with the restrictive subtype of anorexia. When someone has anorexia, they develop an overwhelming preoccupation about gaining weight. In the restrictive subtype, they go to extreme lengths to avoid consuming calories despite being underweight. No matter their actual body size, the person views themselves as overweight or obese.
It is also possible to develop an eating disorder called avoidant-restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID). ARFID causes similar circumstances to anorexia; food intake is restricted, and the person does not consume enough calories to survive. They are typically underweight and may go to great lengths to avoid eating. A preoccupation with weight gain distinguishes ARFID and anorexia. Those with anorexia fear gaining weight, while those with ARFID have a different reason to avoid eating.
What is a disorder in which a person doesn't eat enough to maintain a healthy body weight?
Two mental health disorders are primarily associated with eating so little food that a person cannot maintain a healthy body weight: anorexia nervosa and avoidant-restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID). Anorexia is likely more commonly known. A person with anorexia, specifically the restrictive subtype, avoids eating and limits calorie intake whenever possible. Those with anorexia have a distorted body image; they see themselves as overweight even if they are severely underweight. In their perspective, the most important thing is to avoid weight gain.
A person with ARFID exhibits similar symptoms to that of anorexia. They will limit their food intake or be picky enough in what they consume to become malnourished. Unlike anorexia, ARFID is not related to body image or a fear of gaining weight. The exact reason why someone with ARFID avoids eating varies, but common reasons include the possible aversive consequences of eating and the sensory characteristics of food.
Do people with eating disorders typically have a healthy body image?
The eating disorders anorexia and bulimia are associated with a poor body image, and a preoccupation with body shape or weight gain is required for them to be diagnosed. In both conditions, a person engages in unhealthy eating patterns to avoid weight gain. Those with anorexia usually see themselves as overweight, even though they are likely below average. People with bulimia may be at a normal or above-average weight but are dissatisfied with their bodies and terrified of gaining more body mass.
Two other types of eating disorders, avoidant-restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) and binge eating disorder are not associated with a distorted body image. Those with ARFID display restricted eating, similar to anorexia; they do not consume enough calories to survive. Unlike anorexia, ARFID is not caused by a desire to prevent weight gain. Similarly, binge eating disorder is not associated with avoiding weight gain or body image, but those with the disorder tend to be overweight, which may adversely affect their body image as a result of their condition.
What are eating disorders influenced by?
Eating disorders are heavily influenced by beauty standards perpetuated by modern media and social networking. Eating disorders disproportionately impact women more than men, and one theory to explain the disparity asserts that women are held to much stricter standards of beauty and attractiveness, especially regarding body weight.
Evidence suggests that representations of ideal body types in media influence a person’s perception of what their body should look like. Sometimes, a person likely feels so dissatisfied with their appearance that they begin to use unhealthy eating patterns to avoid weight gain, either by avoiding food entirely or engaging in binge-purge cycles to remove excess calories.
For example, a person with bulimia often binges until feeling uncomfortably full. Binges usually involve eating an unusually large amount of food, and those who binge on a regular basis may use purge techniques like vomiting or laxatives to reduce the amount of food consumed. After a binge-purge cycle is complete, a person is often left feeling embarrassed or guilty afterward due to consuming unusually large portions and purging them. The purge is seen as important compared to personal health because gaining weight may be seen as unacceptable by society.
What is the best source of information about eating disorders?
There are several resources for information regarding eating disorders' diagnosis, course, and treatment. Information is also available regarding an appropriate diet and how to help those who worry about their weight excessively. A few reliable sources are listed below:
The National Eating Disorders Association
https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/
Eating Disorder Hope
https://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/
The American Psychological Association
https://www.apa.org/topics/eating-disorders
The National Institutes of Health
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/eating-disorders
Which eating disorder is best characterized by extreme weight loss?
Two eating disorders are characterized by extreme weight loss. The first, and likely better known, is the restrictive subtype of anorexia nervosa. In that condition, a person becomes preoccupied with weight gain and develops a distorted body image. They restrict their foods to the point where they are not eating enough to survive and quickly begin losing weight.
The second condition is called avoidant-restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID). The symptoms are similar to restrictive anorexia; a person does not consume enough calories to survive and may go to extreme lengths to avoid eating. The difference between ARFID and anorexia is that ARFID is not associated with a preoccupation regarding weight gain or a distorted body image.
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