It is not uncommon for an eating disorder to go undetected. The symptoms of the eating disorder may be the first indications that the person is experiencing psychological problems and distress. The signs associated with bulimia can be more difficult to detect as the person may be of normal or fluctuating body weight. Some people exhibit many signs of a disorder, others only a few.

Possible early warning signs of eating disorders

• dieting or overeating
• weight loss or change, mostly due to dieting, but sometimes from a stressful situation or illness
• preoccupation with body appearance or weight
• loss or disturbance of menstrual periods (females)
• sensitivity to the cold
• faintness, dizziness, fatigue
• increased mood changes, irritability
• social withdrawal/isolation
• anxiety, depression
• increased interest in preparing food for others
• mental list of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ foods
• obsessive rituals, ie: only drinking out of a certain cup, eating certain foods on certain days
• wearing baggy clothes/change in clothing style
• excessive or fluctuating exercise patterns
• avoidance of social situations involving food
• making frequent excuses not to eat
• slow eating/eating with teaspoons
• fast eating
• hoarding food
• rearranging food on plate
• disappearance of large amounts of food, food wrappers in bins
• feelings of being out of control with food
• trips to the bathroom after meals