This eating disorder self-assessment may aid your teenager determining whether he/she may be prone to the development of a full-blown eating disorder. These statements represent emotions and activities which are common to an individual diagnosed with an eating disorder.  

• I have gone through periods of fasting or strict restriction of intake.
  
• I have been on a number of diets.
  
• I have experienced binge periods followed by purging behaviors such as self-induced vomiting or abuse of laxatives.
  
• I experience a loss of control during these binge-purge cycles.
  
• My mood may greatly affect my relationship with food
  
• There are times when I do not feel worthy enough to eat
  
• I always check the amount of calories on the label before I eat.
  
• Restricting intake gives me a sense of control.
  
• I still feel fat even if others think I’m not.
  
• I’m a perfectionist.
  
• I take pride in my skinniness (maybe even counting the bones that are becoming more visible)
  
• I am constantly weighing myself.
  
• I have taken time to make meals for friends or family while not eating any of it myself.
  
• I prefer to eat by myself.
  
• When I do eat with others, it is different from when I eat alone.
  
• Stress or a bad mood can make me eat more.
  
• I have snuck food or hid it around the house.
  
• I have lied to others about my meals.
  
• I have abused laxatives, diuretics, or other pills to counter weight fluctuations.
  
• I feel compelled to exercise in order to become thinner not to be healthier.
  
• I am very cautious and guarded about my meals.
  
• I have eating rituals.
  
• I feel an immense amount of guilt following meals.
  
• I have a negative mind-set existing within me that counters any positive comments I may receive from others.
  
• I tend to stay home a lot rather than go out with friends because of my eating issues.
  
• I have food on the brain continuously.
  
• I think of being thin as the answer to all my problems.
  
• I am very scared of getting fat.
  
• I’m embarrassed about my eating habits.
  
• It seems like I will never be thin enough.
  
• I feel that my behavior may be similar to destructive patterns of an eating disorder.
  

If your teenager agrees with at least 3 of the statements above, then he/she may be struggling with or prone to the development of an eating disorder. It is important to seek the advice of a psychotherapist in order to have a proper diagnosis.