Eating disorders are common but treatable disorders with mental and physical side effects. People from all backgrounds may develop eating disorders at any point in life. There is no single cause of eating disorders; emotional, biological, and environmental factors can lead to the development of an eating disorder.
Many types of eating disorders exist. As research about eating disorders continues to emerge, doctors can better understand these conditions and help people get the treatment they deserve.
To help you understand whether your symptoms match the signs of an eating disorder, this free and confidential quiz provides insight into common eating disorders:
- Anorexia nervosa: characterized by weight loss, restrictive eating, distress about body size and distorted body image
- Binge eating disorder: involves repeatedly consuming large amounts of food rapidly, even when full, and feelings of shame or guilt after doing so
- Bulimia nervosa: characterized by periods of binging followed by purging, a fear of gaining weight and distorted body image
- Orthorexia: involves an obsession with eating healthy food and avoiding unhealthy food choices
- Pica: characterized by eating items that have no substantial nutritional value and are not considered edible (e.g., dirt or hair)
Other less common eating disorders that this quiz does not include questions about include diabulimia, avoidant restrictive food intake disorder, rumination disorder, and other specified feeding or eating disorder (OSFED, previously called eating disorder not otherwise specified).
Read Before Beginning:
This quiz is a self-guided assessment that has been created from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders which is the standard criteria for diagnosing mental health and substance use disorders. This quiz can help you evaluate your symptoms, but it cannot substitute for an official diagnosis of an eating disorder from a medical professional. Discuss your assessment results with a doctor, therapist, or other medical professionals to determine whether you have an eating disorder and appropriate next steps.