Eating Disorder Quiz

Do You Have an Eating Disorder?

Due to an increase in public awareness, anorexia nervosa (key symptoms: refusal to maintain a minimally healthy body weight, intense fear of gaining weight, and a significant disturbance in the perception of the shape or size of one’s body) and bulimia nervosa. Key symptoms for bulimia include binge eating-(eating what the individual considers to be too much food in a way that feels out of control) followed by inappropriate compensatory behaviors (e.g. self-induced vomiting, excessive exercise) are becoming more and more openly acknowledged.

The following questionnaire will tell you whether or not you think you behave in a way that indicates that you have tendencies toward anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa. If it appears that you may be struggling, at the end of the quiz, we’ll provide you information about how to seek treatment with Center for Discovery, an eating disorder treatment program within our Discovery Behavioral Health network. 

DIRECTIONS:
Answer the questions below honestly. Respond as you are now, not the way you
used to be or the way you would like to be. For an accurate score, do not leave
any questions blank (unless instructed to do so).

• 1. I have eating habits that are different from those of my family and friends.

• Often Sometimes Rarely Never

• 2. I cannot go through the day without worrying about what I will or will not eat.

• Almost Always Sometimes Rarely Never

• 3. I prefer to eat alone or when I am sure that no one will see me.

• Often Sometimes Rarely Never

• 4. I make excuses (e.g. "I already ate", "I am not feeling well", etc.) so that I will not have to eat with friends and family.

• Often Sometimes Rarely Never

• 5. I have uncontrollable eating binges during which I consume large amounts of food and afterwards I make myself vomit.

• Never Less than once a week 1-6 times a week Once or more a day

• 6. I find myself cutting up my food into tiny pieces, hiding food so people will think I ate it, chewing it and spitting it out without swallowing it and/or keeping hidden stashes of food.

• Often Sometimes Rarely Never

• 7. I have determined that there are certain "safe" foods that are okay for me to eat, and "bad" foods that I refuse to eat.

• Often Sometimes Rarely Never

• 8. I become angry when others show interest in what I eat and pressure me to eat more.

• Often Sometimes Rarely Never

• 9. I am afraid that no one would understand my fears about food and eating, so I keep these feelings to myself.

• Often Sometimes Rarely Never

• 10. I enjoy cooking gourmet meals and/or high calorie foods for others, but I would never eat them myself.

• Often Sometimes Rarely Never

• 11. I go through long periods of time without eating (fasting) or eating very little as means of weight control.

• Often Sometimes Rarely Never

• 12. My friends tell me that I am thin, but I do not believe them because I feel fat.

• Often Sometimes Rarely Never

• 13. I would panic if I got on the scale and found out that I had gained weight.

• Almost Always Sometimes Rarely Never

• 14. I use laxatives or diuretics as a means of weight control.

• Never Rarely Sometimes On a regular basis

• 15. I have an overwhelming fear of gaining weight.

• True False

• 16. I exercise excessively to try to lose weight and I become anxious if I miss a workout.

• True False

• 17. It is very important that I am thinner than all of my friends.

• Almost Always Sometimes Rarely Never

• 18. I am unable to maintain a weight that is considered healthy and consistent with my build, age and height.

• True False

• 19. (Females only) My menstrual period has stopped or become irregular due to no known medical reasons.

• True False

• 20. I can spend hours reading books or magazines about dieting, exercising, fitness, or calorie counting.

• Often Sometimes Rarely Never

• 21. I have felt depressed and irritable lately, and spend most of my time alone.

• True False

• 22. I tend to be a perfectionist; I am not satisfied unless things are perfect.

• Often Sometimes Rarely Never