Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions. They lead to disturbances in food intake and body image. Individuals with eating disorders become preoccupied with food, body weight, and body shape.
When an eating disorder takes hold, it can significantly interfere with a person’s life. Fortunately, treatment is available. One of the first steps in recovering is knowing when to seek help.
Take the eating disorder quiz below to help you determine if it’s time to consult with a professional.
How Does It Work?
For each item on this eating disorder quiz, you will get a score. A higher score means a higher likelihood of having that eating disorder symptom.
Your total score will be based on a summation of your answers to all ten quiz items. A higher total score means a higher chance of having an eating disorder.
Who Is This Eating Disorder Quiz For?
This eating disorder quiz is for anyone who is struggling with eating or body image. If you find yourself obsessing over calories, food intake, or how your body looks, this quiz is for you.
Is It Accurate?
This eating disorder quiz cannot diagnose an eating disorder. However, it can tell you whether you show symptoms associated with eating disorders.
The quiz is accurate, as it is based on diagnostic criteria for eating disorders. While it is accurate, it cannot tell you which specific eating disorder you have.
The quiz includes items related to symptoms of multiple eating disorders. So, it can give you an idea of whether you show a high level of eating disorder symptoms. However, it does not specify which eating disorder you’re most likely to have.
For a full evaluation and diagnosis, it’s important to see a mental health professional. A professional can formally diagnose a specific eating disorder and offer treatment.
Other Things You Might Want To Know
If you’re taking this eating disorder quiz, you may be seeking additional information about eating disorders. The following resources are helpful:
- National Institute of Mental Health: Eating Disorders.
- The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition: Prevalence of Eating Disorders.
- Cambridge University Press: Classification of Eating Disorders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Global research shows that 8.4% of women and 2.2% of men experience an eating disorder during their lifetimes. At any given point in time, 2.2% of those living in America have an eating disorder.
Eating disorders are diagnosed using criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). This manual is now in its fifth edition with a text revision. It’s often called the DSM-5-TR.
Mental health professionals like psychologists, psychiatrists, professional counselors, and clinical social workers use the DSM-5-TR to diagnose eating disorders. A physician or nurse practitioner with experience or training in mental health may also diagnose an eating disorder.
Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses requiring individualized treatment plans. They are often treated with some combination of talk therapy, nutrition counseling, medication, and medical interventions.
For Your Health & Wellness