Psychological effects include heightened anxiety at mealtimes, rigid thinking (labelling food as either ‘good’ or ‘bad’), low self- esteem, feelings of shame or guilt around food, and strong feelings of anger, anxiety, or depression. Another potential sign is sensitivity to comments or perceived criticism about exercise, food, body shape, or weight. Behavioural effects include binge sessions, binge/purge sessions, excessive exercise, avoiding mealtimes, avoiding other situations involving food, having excuses for not eating in public, withdrawal from social circles, withdrawal from previously enjoyed activities, obsessive focus on food (e.g. planning, buying, or cooking meals for others but not consuming meals themselves – it may also present as a heightened interest in recipes and nutrition), and lying about the amount or type of food consumed. Signs at home A young person experiencing disordered eating may show the following signs at home: – Avoiding eating with family by claiming that they have already eaten with friends, ate earlier in the day, or that they are not hungry – Showing increasing pre-occupation with exercising – Obsessively counting calories or examining food labels for nutritional information – Complaining that the food they have been given is fatty, disgusting, or unhealthy – Eating more than usual between meals or at mealtimes
– Giving themselves smaller portions – Being more secretive than usual – Wearing baggier clothes than usual
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