Silent Signs of an Eating Disorder

If someone close to you had an eating disorder, would you know it? Many people assume they would — thinking that telltale symptoms like rapid weight loss or looking emaciated would be easy to spot. But the truth is, warning signs of an eating disorder can be more subtle, especially at first. In this video, learn the red flags for the three main types of eating disorders — anorexia nervosa, bulimia, and binge eating disorder — and how to get help. For more information, visit Eating Disorders: Your GoodRx Guide.

If you suspect someone has an eating disorder, it’s important to get help — from a medical professional or the National Eating Disorder Association — right away. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of self harm or suicide, call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.

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Written by:

Brittany Doohan

Brittany Doohan was the Content Director at HealthiNation and is currently the Editorial Director at Medscape. Through her work with Medscape, she won a Silver Telly Award in May 2022 for "Sleepless Nation: A Public Health Epidemic — Episode 2: A Decade Without a Diagnosis." She has worked in health journalism and video production for more than 8 years, and loves the challenge of explaining complex topics in an easy-to-understand and creative way.

Reviewed by:

Sarah Gupta, MD

Sarah Gupta, MD, is a licensed physician with a special interest in mental health, sex and gender, eating disorders, and the human microbiome. She is currently board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

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