Eating Disorder Assessment Tools Series
Eating Disorder Assessment A-1
In this eating disorder assessment tool, Kaley thinks and worries daily about her weight. She isn’t satisfied with her current weight, 107, saying she has a target weight of 100 pounds. Although she does not track her BMI, Kaley references that her friends track their BMIs. Kaley restricts her eating and sometimes loses control and binges. She reports that she does not use any products to help accelerate weight loss, reporting that diet pills did not work. She reports consciously attempting to hide her episodes of binging.
Eating Disorder Assessment A-2
Amanda claims that she is satisfied with her irregular eating patterns. Instead of eating three meals a day, she eats small portions every few hours. She admits that she sometimes binges in secret. During those times, she becomes socially withdrawn. She describes increasingly uncontrollable urges to eat foods that she regularly denies herself when she is hungry. Amanda does not feel she is suffering from an eating disorder.
Eating Disorder Assessment A-3
Krista describes a high degree of anxiety related to her weight, causing her social relationships with her family and friends to suffer. She spends most days working out and trying to control her weight. She keeps track of both her weight and BMI, setting a target BMI she wants to achieve.
Krista experienced rapid fluctuations of both gains and losses of weight, due to her binging and purging. In addition, she reports that the binges were often associated with feelings of anger and shame directed at herself, as well as when she felt blame toward other people. She currently claims to have stopped purging, and instead controls her weight by limiting her diet, exercising, and using laxatives.
As the interview progresses, Krista appears to recognize her problems with eating and weight-controlling habits, expressing thoughts that her life is not worth living. She reports that she would like to seek help, but is unsure what to do.
Eating Disorder Assessment A-4
Amanda discusses eating habits of occasionally imbibing past the point of being full, continuing until she feels sick. She reports that following episodes of binging, she forces herself to purge. Remembering these episodes, she recognizes that she lost control of her eating. She claims that her weight, which she tracks, often fluctuates.
Amanda reports that her fluctuations and obsessions about weight began in high school. She also describes excluding friends who address her weight, saying she experiences depression or anxiety when people discuss her weight or size. Amanda does not feel like her obsession about her weight is a problem, and in fact, tells of enjoying talking about food and planning meals. She has a daily regime related to her food and weight that she began in high school. She joined the military, believing the activity would help her to stay thin.
Amanda exhibits many symptoms related to eating disorders and often justifies her behaviors. In the past, eating and weight issues led to a suicide attempt. Amanda’s answers are a complex depiction of someone grappling with an eating disorder, and reveal how in-depth questioning can reveal important insights into a patient. At the end of the interview, Amanda demonstrates insight that eating and weight issues are harmful to her, and that she needs to make changes.
Eating Disorder Assessment A-5
Carl provides mostly brief, one-word answers to the interviewer’s questions. He is not satisfied with his weight and current eating related habits. Also, he feels overweight and admits that he often eats in secret.
Eating Disorder Assessment A-6
Carl claims he is satisfied with his eating patterns. He sometimes eats in secret and worries about his weight. However, he says he has never suffered from an eating disorder. He denies that any of his family members have been diagnosed with eating disorders.
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