Eating disorders affect millions of people worldwide and can have severe physical and mental consequences. They are complex mental illnesses that are often driven by a combination of genetic, environmental, and psychological factors.

While there is no one cause of an eating disorder, there are certain habits that are often associated with these conditions.

Here are 30 common habits that have been linked to eating disorders:.

Habit #1: Restricting Food

Restricting food intake is a hallmark sign of anorexia nervosa. People with this disorder often severely limit the amount of food they eat and can become dangerously underweight as a result.

However, individuals with other eating disorders may also restrict their food intake in various ways.

Habit #2: Binge Eating

Binge eating is another common habit associated with eating disorders. This involves consuming large quantifies of food in a short period of time, often accompanied by feelings of guilt or shame.

People with bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and some individuals with anorexia nervosa may engage in binge eating behaviors.

Habit #3: Purging

Purging involves attempting to rid the body of food and calories after eating. This can take the form of self-induced vomiting, the misuse of laxatives, or excessive exercise.

Purging behaviors are often part of bulimia nervosa but may also be seen in some individuals with anorexia nervosa.

Habit #4: Obsessive Thoughts About Food and Weight

People with eating disorders often have obsessive thoughts about food, weight, and their bodies. These thoughts may consume their time and interfere with their ability to engage in daily activities.

Habit #5: Fear of Weight Gain

Fear of weight gain is a common habit that people with eating disorders often experience. This fear may be driven by a desire to conform to societal beauty standards, a need for control, or underlying psychological issues.

Habit #6: Skipping Meals

Skipping meals or entire food groups is a habit that is often associated with eating disorders. This behavior can lead to malnutrition and physical health problems.

Habit #7: Compulsive Exercise

Some people with eating disorders engage in compulsive exercise as a means of burning calories and controlling their weight. This behavior can be harmful to physical health and may also interfere with social and work functioning.

Habit #8: Secretive Eating

Secretive eating is a common habit among people with binge eating disorder. This involves hiding food or eating alone to avoid scrutiny or judgement from others.

Habit #9: Preoccupation with Body Image

People with eating disorders often have a preoccupation with their body image. They may spend excessive time looking at themselves in the mirror, comparing their bodies to others, or engaging in other obsessive behaviors related to their appearance.

Habit #10: Rituals around Eating

Many people with eating disorders have rituals or routines around eating. For example, they may cut their food into very small pieces, eat very slowly, or refuse to eat in front of others.

People with eating disorders may avoid social situations that involve food, such as going out to eat with friends or attending holiday gatherings. This avoidance can lead to social isolation and further exacerbate their mental health issues.

Habit #12: Anxiety and Depression

Both anxiety and depression are common in individuals with eating disorders. These mental health issues can affect all aspects of their lives and contribute to the development and maintenance of their disordered eating habits.

Habit #13: Belief That Thinness Equals Happiness

Many people with eating disorders hold a belief that thinness is equal to happiness or success. This belief can be reinforced by societal messages about beauty and body image.

Habit #14: Compulsive Weighing

Compulsive weighing is a habit that can be part of many different types of eating disorders. This behavior involves weighing oneself frequently, often multiple times per day, and can contribute to a preoccupation with weight and body image.

Habit #15: Use of Diet Pills or Other Supplements

The use of diet pills or other supplements is a habit that can be associated with eating disorders. These products are often marketed to people with a desire to lose weight quickly, but can be dangerous and have serious negative health consequences.

Habit #16: Negative Self-Talk

People with eating disorders often engage in negative self-talk about their bodies and their food behaviors. This can contribute to low self-esteem and a cycle of disordered eating habits.

Habit #17: Difficulty Identifying Hunger and Fullness

Many individuals with eating disorders have difficulty identifying when they are hungry or full. This can lead to patterns of restrictive eating followed by binge eating behaviors.

Habit #18: Comparison to Others

People with eating disorders often engage in comparisons to others, whether it be comparing their bodies, their eating habits, or their weight loss progress. This behavior can be damaging to self-esteem and recovery.

Habit #19: Withdrawal from Friends and Family

People with eating disorders may withdraw from friends and family members, either due to shame or as a way of avoiding social situations involving food. This isolation can further exacerbate their mental health issues.

Habit #20: Self-Harm

Self-harm behaviors, such as cutting or burning oneself, can be associated with eating disorders. These behaviors are often coping mechanisms for underlying emotional distress.

Habit #21: Use of Food to Cope with Emotional Distress

Using food as a way to cope with emotional distress is a common habit among people with eating disorders. This behavior can lead to patterns of binge eating followed by purging behaviors.

Habit #22: Fear of Losing Control

People with eating disorders may have an underlying fear of losing control, which can be exacerbated by feelings of hunger or fullness. This fear can lead to patterns of restrictive eating behaviors.

Habit #23: Obsession with Calories and Nutrition Labels

People with eating disorders may become obsessive about reading nutrition labels and counting calories in their food. This behavior can contribute to anxiety and reinforce disordered eating patterns.

Some individuals with eating disorders become obsessed with monitoring the number of calories burned during exercise and may engage in excessive workouts to achieve a certain calorie burn.

Habit #25: Disordered Eating Patterns during Holidays or Other Special Occasions

People with eating disorders may find it difficult to engage in normal eating behaviors, particularly during holidays or other special occasions. These situations may trigger binge eating or other disordered eating behaviors.

Habit #26: Lack of Confidence in Ability to Change Eating Behaviors

Many people with eating disorders lack confidence in their ability to change their eating behaviors and/or overcome their disorder. This belief can be a barrier to recovery.

Habit #27: Substance Abuse

Some individuals with eating disorders may engage in substance abuse as a way of coping with underlying emotional distress or as a means of controlling their weight.

Habit #28: Difficulty Accepting Help from Others

People with eating disorders may have difficulty accepting help from others, whether it be from family, friends, or healthcare professionals. This reluctance can make it difficult to obtain the necessary treatment for their disorder.

Habit #29: Perfectionism

Perfectionism is a common habit among people with eating disorders. They may place excessive pressure on themselves to be perfect in all areas of their lives, including their food and exercise habits.

Habit #30: Avoidance of Treatment

Unfortunately, many people with eating disorders avoid seeking treatment due to feelings of shame, fear of judgement, or other barriers. This avoidance can lead to worsening physical and mental health consequences.

Conclusion

Eating disorders are complex mental illnesses that can have severe physical and mental health consequences.

Identifying common habits associated with these disorders can help individuals recognize when they may be exhibiting disordered eating behaviors and seek appropriate treatment. With appropriate care, individuals with eating disorders can recover and improve their quality of life.