Using eating disorder screening tools online can pick up potential warning signs, and help you understand if it’s a good idea to seek further help from a medical professional.

If you are concerned that you or somebody you care for may have an eating disorder, a good place to start is by taking an online eating disorder test or questionnaire. Online tools are not designed to give you a diagnosis, but rather to help you understand if you may be experiencing eating disorder symptoms, and therefore if you should see a medical professional for further assessment. Self-diagnosis or diagnosis without a professional’s input is extremely difficult and potentially dangerous.

Eating disorders are complex mental illnesses, and can present differently for each individual. For common symptoms and warning signs, please see the pages below:

• Anorexia Nervosa
• Binge Eating Disorder
• Bulimia Nervosa
• ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder)

Eating Disorders Victoria recommends two eating diosorder tests to help identify if you may need further help for a potential eating disorder.

1. Reach Out and Recover (ROAR) – for people looking for help for themselves
2. Feed Your Instinct – for parents/care givers looking for help for their child or loved one

Medical professional can use specific diagnostic tools to help determine if a patient may have an eating disorder.

Medical professionals, such as GPs, are pivotal in ensuring eating disorders are recognized in patients as early as possible. A common eating disorder assessment tool is called the SCOFF test:

S – Do you make yourself Sick because you feel uncomfortably full?

C – Do you worry you have lost Control over how much you eat?

O – Have you recently lost more than 6.35 kg in a three-month period?

F – Do you believe yourself to be Fat when others say you are too thin?

F – Would you say Food dominates your life?

You can learn more about the SCOFF test and other early intervention tools via the National Eating Disorders Collaboration website. 

Did you know?

Currently, there is an average of four years from a person developing symptoms of an eating disorder, to starting treatment for the first time. Medical professionals play an important role in picking up the signs of a potential eating disorder, which may not always be obvious.

If you are a medical professional, you are encouraged to learn more about the signs, symptoms, treatment and referral options for patients with eating disorders. The National Eating Disorders Collaboration (NEDC) is Australia’s peak body for learning and professional development for eating disorder professionals.

The NEDC is also responsible for the credentialing system that health professionals will need to go through in order to administer Medicare approved eating disorder treatments.

If you are concerned that you may be experiencing an eating disorder, an online test can help, but so can speaking with someone who understands what you’re going through.

The EDV Hub is a free, confidential helpline that provides information, resources and an understanding ear to talk to. The Hub is open Mon – Fri 9:30AM – 4:30PM for phone calls on 1300 550 236, or an online contact form can be submitted anytime.

Eating Disorders Victoria also encourage you to see your GP if you are at all concerned about a potential eating disorder in yourself or a loved one. For steps to best prepare for a GP appointment, please see here.

Eating Disorders Victoria also offer a range of support services, such as our Support Groups, Peer Mentoring Program, Telehealth Nurse and Wellbeing Program.

Get in touch with us today to find out how we can help.