Recognizing the Early Signs of an Eating Disorder
When Does a Change in Eating Become a Cause for Concern?
Changes in eating habits, exercise routines, or body image concerns are common, and not every shift signals a problem. But sometimes a pattern emerges that feels different: more rigid, more secretive, or more consuming than an ordinary health kick or a passing phase.
If you've noticed changes in your own relationship with food, or in someone you care about, that feel hard to name, understanding the early signs of an eating disorder can help clarify what you're seeing and what kind of support might help.
At Chicago Counseling Center, we work with individuals navigating eating disorders, often alongside co-occurring anxiety or depression. Recognizing the signs early can make a meaningful difference in the course of recovery.
The information on this page is provided for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical, mental health, or legal advice. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, please call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Get Started Today
If you're concerned about your relationship with food or a loved one's, our team is here to help.
Why Eating Disorders Can Be Hard to Recognize
Eating disorders don't always look the way popular media portrays them. They can affect people of any body size, age, or gender, and many individuals with an eating disorder appear outwardly healthy while privately struggling a great deal.
Because eating disorders often develop gradually, both the individual and the people around them may not recognize how significant the pattern has become until it's been present for some time.
General Patterns That May Signal a Concern
Rather than any single behavior, eating disorders tend to involve a broader pattern that affects someone's relationship with food, body image, and daily life. Signs that may be worth paying attention to include:
A preoccupation with food, weight, or body shape that feels difficult to set aside
Increasing rigidity or anxiety around meals, food choices, or eating in front of others
Withdrawing from social situations that involve food
Noticeable changes in mood, energy, or concentration
Secretive behavior around eating, exercise, or body-checking
Significant distress related to body image that doesn't ease with reassurance
No single sign confirms an eating disorder on its own. What matters more is a pattern that persists over time and begins to affect someone's emotional well-being, relationships, or daily functioning.
The Emotional Experience Behind an Eating Disorder
Eating disorders are rarely just about food. For many individuals, behaviors around eating and body image become a way of managing difficult emotions, a need for control, or deep-seated anxiety. Understanding this emotional layer is often an important part of treatment, since addressing behaviors alone without addressing what's underneath them tends to be less effective long-term.
This is also why eating disorders so frequently occur alongside anxiety, depression, or perfectionism. Treatment that addresses the full emotional picture, rather than eating patterns in isolation, tends to support more lasting recovery.
How to Approach a Conversation With Someone You're Concerned About
If you're worried about someone else, approaching the topic with care matters. Focus on specific changes you've noticed and how much you care about them, rather than commenting on their body or appearance directly, which can inadvertently reinforce the focus on body image that often underlies the struggle.
Expect that the conversation may be met with denial or defensiveness at first. This is common and doesn't mean the conversation wasn't worthwhile. Expressing ongoing concern and encouraging professional support, without ultimatums, tends to be more effective than a single conversation.
Why Professional Support Matters
Eating disorders can carry serious physical and emotional risks, and recovery is rarely something to navigate alone. A comprehensive assessment can help clarify what's happening and guide an appropriate course of treatment, which may involve coordination between a therapist and other healthcare providers depending on the situation.
At Chicago Counseling Center, our therapists provide psychotherapy for individuals navigating eating disorders, often addressing co-occurring anxiety, depression, or perfectionism as part of a comprehensive approach to treatment.
What to Expect During Your First Appointment
Your first appointment will focus on understanding your relationship with food, body image, and any related patterns you've noticed, along with any co-occurring anxiety, depression, or other concerns. This conversation is meant to be supportive and non-judgmental, not evaluative in a way that adds pressure.
From there, your therapist will work with you to build a personalized treatment plan that reflects your specific needs and goals, coordinating with other providers when appropriate.
Why Choose Chicago Counseling Center
At Chicago Counseling Center, our clinicians approach eating disorder treatment with compassion and without judgment, understanding the complex emotional patterns that often underlie these struggles. We work collaboratively with each client to address not just behaviors, but the anxiety, perfectionism, or difficult emotions that frequently accompany them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do eating disorders only affect a certain body type?
No. Eating disorders can affect individuals of any body size, age, or gender. Appearance alone is not a reliable indicator of whether someone is struggling.
What should I do if I'm worried about a loved one?
Approach the conversation with care, focusing on specific changes you've noticed and your concern for them, rather than comments about their body or appearance. Encourage them to speak with a professional, and expect that this may take more than one conversation.
Are eating disorders only about food?
Not usually. Eating disorders often reflect deeper patterns related to control, anxiety, or difficult emotions, which is why treatment typically addresses the emotional picture alongside behaviors around food.
Can eating disorders occur alongside anxiety or depression?
Yes. Eating disorders frequently co-occur with anxiety, depression, or perfectionism, and treatment often addresses these together.
Do you treat eating disorders in Chicago?
Yes. Chicago Counseling Center provides psychotherapy for individuals navigating eating disorders, both in-person in Chicago and via telehealth throughout our service area.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Recognizing the early signs of an eating disorder, in yourself or someone you love, is an act of care, not judgment. With the right support, it's possible to build a healthier, more peaceful relationship with food and body image.
Contact our team to schedule an appointment and learn more about treatment options for eating disorders and related concerns.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7. For eating disorder-specific support, the National Alliance for Eating Disorders helpline is also available at 1-866-662-1235.
References
American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed., text rev.; DSM-5-TR). American Psychiatric Publishing.
National Institute of Mental Health. (2024). Eating disorders. Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/eating-disorders
National Alliance for Eating Disorders. (2024). About eating disorders. Retrieved from https://www.allianceforeatingdisorders.com
Disclaimer
The content on this page is intended for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice, mental health advice, diagnosis, treatment recommendations, or a substitute for professional care. Reading this content, submitting a contact form, or communicating with Chicago Counseling Center does not establish a therapist-client relationship. If you believe you or someone you know may be experiencing symptoms of an eating disorder, consult with a qualified healthcare provider or mental health professional. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis or emergency, call 911, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or go to the nearest emergency room immediately.
Services available in-person in Chicago and via telehealth throughout Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
