Eating Disorder Test
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: 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 or excessive exercise) are becoming more and more openly acknowledged.
The following questionnaire will tell you whether or not you think or behave in a way that indicates that you have tendencies toward anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa.
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. Write the number of your answer on a sheet of paper. Do not leave any questions blank unless instructed to do so.
1) Often 2) Sometimes 3) Rarely 4) Never
1) Often 2) Sometimes 3) Rarely 4) Never
1) Often 2) Sometimes 3) Rarely 4) Never
1) True 2) False
5. I have become obsessed with food to the point that I cannot go through the day without worrying about what I will or will not eat.
1) Almost Always 2) Sometimes 3) Rarely 4) Never
6. I have lost more than 15% of what is considered to be a healthy weight for my height (e.g., female, 5’4” tall loses 18 pounds when a healthy weight for her is approximately 120 pounds.)
1) True 2) False
1) Almost Always 2) Sometimes 3) Rarely 4) Never
1) Almost Always 2) Sometimes 3) Rarely 4) Never
1) Never 2) Less than 1/week 3) 1-6 times/week 4) 1 or more times/day
1) Never 2) Less than 1/week 3) 1-6 times/week 4) 1 or more times/day
1) Never 2) Rarely 3) Sometimes 4) On a regular basis
1) Often 2) Sometimes 3) Rarely 4) Never
1) Often 2) Sometimes 3) Rarely 4) Never
1) True 2) False
1) Often 2) Sometimes 3) Rarely 4) Never
1) Often 2) Sometimes 3) Rarely 4) Never
1) Often 2) Sometimes 3) Rarely 4) Never
1) True 2) False
1) Often 2) Sometimes 3) Rarely 4) Never
1) Almost always 2) Sometimes 3) Rarely 4) Never
1) Often 2) Sometimes 3) Rarely 4) Never
1) Almost always 2) Sometimes 3) Rarely 4) Never
SCORING
Step 1: Add your responses together. Record the total. This is your score.
Step 2: Compare your score with the table below.
38 or less- Strong tendencies toward anorexia nervosa.
39-50 – Strong tendencies toward bulimia nervosa.
50-60- Weight conscious. May or may not have tendencies toward an eating disorder. Not likely to have anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa. May have tendencies toward compulsive overeating, obesity, or binge-eating disorder.
Over 60- Extremely unlikely to have anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa; however, scoring over 60 does not rule out tendencies toward compulsive eating, binge-eating disorder, or obesity.
If you scored below 50, it would be wise for you to (1) seek more information about anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa and (2) contact a counselor, pastor, teacher, or physician in order to find out if you have an eating disorder and, if you do, how to get some help.
If you scored between 50 and 60, it would a good idea for you to talk to a counselor, pastor, teacher, or physician in order to find out if you have an eating disorder, and if you do, how to get some help.
If you scored over 60 but have questions and concerns about the way you eat and/or your weight, it would be a good idea for you to talk to a counselor, pastor, teacher, or physician in order to determine if you have an eating disorder and, if you do, how to get some help.