Eating disorders
Too fat? Too thin? Always unhappy with your weight?
Do your thoughts constantly revolve around food? Do you feel uncomfortable in your body or unhappy with your weight and figure? Maybe you sometimes wonder if your eating habits are healthy? If you think something is wrong, get help. The sooner the better. Here you can find out where to turn.
What are eating disorders?
Eating disorders are a serious illness. They can have many triggers and often occur as early as puberty. The most common eating disorders are anorexia (anorexia nervosa), bulimia (binge eating disorder) and binge eating. However, mixed forms are also common.
Do I have an eating disorder?
Only doctors or psychotherapists can make a reliable diagnosis. For an initial self-assessment, the following warning signs indicate an eating disorder:
You can take a self-test on the psychenet website. The questions can give you a clue as to whether you have an eating disorder.
Are eating disorders dangerous for me?
Yes, eating disorders have very serious consequences. Constant starvation leads to severe nutrient deficiencies. Being severely overweight is also unhealthy. Both can cause permanent damage to your body: This includes blood pressure disorders, fainting, hormonal imbalances, menstrual cycle disorders and even the absence of menstruation in girls, permanently damaged organs and depression.
How do I get out of an eating disorder?
Only very few people manage to get out of an eating disorder on their own. That's why it's so important to get help as early as possible in order to come out of the closet. The sooner you admit to a possible eating disorder and start therapy, the better your chances of recovery.
Where can I find help?
The first step is to confide in someone to find out if you are suffering from an eating disorder. If you don't want to talk to your parents or another trusted person about the issue, it's best to contact a special counseling center. Here you will meet trained professionals with whom you can talk openly and without bias about your difficulties. You can also do this online and anonymously on the internet. Counseling is free of charge and completely confidential.
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