Website offers fast self-screening for eating disorders

The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) has partnered with Screening for Mental Health, Inc. (SMH) to launch www.MyBodyScreening.org, a website where people can take a free, anonymous self-assessment that suggests whether they are at risk for having an eating disorder. 

The anonymous screening takes only a few minutes. It consists of a series of questions developed by treatment professionals in the eating disorders field that are designed to suggest whether clinical help is needed.  After completing a screening, participants may (if indicated) receive referral information needed to contact local agencies for a confidential, personal evaluation by a medical professional and potential treatment. There are two screenings available, one for college students – a particularly vulnerable group for the development of eating disorders – and a standard screening for non-college aged participants.

“During National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, we see a sharp rise in the number of people asking for treatment referrals online, on our helpline and at live events sponsored at schools and other community outlets. This is an outstanding resource for people who may need help or know someone who may need help and don’t know where to begin," said Susie Roman, NEDA's programs director. 

The 26th National Eating Disorders Awareness Week is from Feb. 24-March 2.  For more information or to get involved, visit www.NEDAwareness.org.

In the U.S., 20 million women and 10 million men suffer froma clinically significant eating disorder at some time in their life, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, or an eating disorder not otherwise specified. Eating disorders are bio-psycho-social illnesses with potentially life-threatening consequences and anorexia nervosa has the highest death rate of any mental illness.