Anorexia, Bulimia and Other Eating Disorders
In a culture where dieting is constantly encouraged and thinness is idealized, eating disorders have become increasingly prevalent for both men and women. Use the sites recommended in this guide to learn about symptoms, treatments and emotional support. You'll realize how common eating disorders are, and how close help can be.
Expand All Guide SectionsTypes of Eating Disorders
The Web sites listed below will help you learn about different types of eating disorders, their ... read more »
Identifying Eating Disorders
Because our culture glorifies thinness and fitness to such a degree, it can be difficult to determine whether you have lost sight of what is a healthy weight for you. These recommendations define eating disorders and present articles that outline healthy body image as well.
Dulcinea's Insight
- Some of the Web sites recommended below have surveys you can take for determining your condition. Even if the official results of these do not indicate that you have a problem, it can be beneficial to consult a friend, trusted family member, or medical professional anyway; prevention is the best way to deal with an eating disorder.
- If you are trying to gauge your relationship with food by filling out any of the surveys at the sites below, consider doing it with a friend who will know if you're not answering questions honestly or realistically.
- As you are researching eating disorders, you may come across Web sites designed by the pro-ana movement. Many of these sites encourage eating-disordered individuals to continue their destructive behavior. If you are suspicious of the content on a site, stay away from it-sites designed to encourage eating disorders can have a very damaging effect on the recovery process.
Dulcinea's Picks
For eating disorder warning signs and tests ...
Helpguide.org
details the signs, symptoms, causes, and treatments of eating disorders. A section on warning signs explains what friends and loved ones can look for.
The Center for Eating Disorders at Sheppard Pratt
in Baltimore has an online eating disorders assessment. The test can be taken from three perspectives: you suspect you have an eating disorder, you suspect a friend has one, or you suspect a family member is affected.
The Center for Counseling and Health Resources, Inc.
in Washington state has a 101-question eating disorder assessment. This test isn’t designed for loved ones who are concerned someone may have an eating disorder; this is for someone who thinks he or she may have one.
For teenagers ...
TeensHealth
is designed for teenagers and presented by the Nemours Foundation, an organization dedicated to improving the health and emotional experiences of young people. This site details eating disorders in a straightforward and unthreatening way and is great for young people who might be unfamiliar with the problem.
Familydoctor.org
explains the basics of eating disorders in language geared toward teens, although anyone can benefit from the advice here. Other links for teens are listed along with treatment resources.
Helping Someone with an Eating Disorder
Treating an eating disorder is a difficult process that begins with the support of loved ones. If ... read more »
Eating Disorder Treatment
We've selected some of the best resources for finding a treatment center or healthcare professional ... read more »
Eating Disorder Support
Overcoming an eating disorder is nearly impossible to do alone. Fortunately, finding a group of ... read more »
© 2012 Dulcinea Media, Inc.
