Distress Tolerance and Polyvagal theory

EATING DISORDER SYMPTOMS

Binge Eating Scale (BES)

• 18-item self-report questionnaire; Assesses components of binge eating behavior.
• Gormally, J., Black, S., Daston, S., & Rardin, D. (1983).  The assessment of binge eating behavior among obese patients.  Addictive Behaviors, 7, 47-59.

Eating Disorder Examination Interview (EDE-I)

• Semi-structured interview for assessing the presence of eating disorder symptoms.
• Yields 4 subscales: restraint, eating concern, shape concern, & weight concern.
• Fairburn, C., & Cooper, Z. (1993).  The eating disorder examination (12th ed.). In C.G. Fairburn & G. Wilson (Eds.), Binge eating nature, assessment, & treatment.  New York, NY: Guilford Press.

Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q)

• 36-item self-report questionnaire based on the EDE interview.
• Fairburn, C., & Beglin, S. (1994).  Assessment of eating disorders: Interview or self-report questionnaire?  International Journal of Eating Disorders, 16, 363-370.

Eating Disorders Inventory (EDI-3)

• 91-item self-report questionnaire; Assesses deficits in various components of disordered eating,(e.g., binge eating, perfectionism, body dissatisfaction, drive for thinness)
• Garner, D. (2004).  Eating disorders inventory 3.  Psychological Assessment Resources: Lutz, FL.

The SCOFF questionnaire is a simple, five question, screening measure for anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Developed in the United Kingdom, the acronym for SCOFF does not translate fully for other countries but the questions are easily adapted to any culture.

Answering "yes" to two or more of the following questions indicates a possible case of anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa.

• Do you make yourself Sick because you feel uncomfortably full?
• Do you worry you have lost Control over how much you eat?
• Have you recently lost more than One stone [approximately fifteen pounds] in a 3 month period?
• Do you believe yourself to be Fat when others say you are too thin?
• Would you say that Food dominates your life?

What do I do next? If you did answer "yes" to two or more of the questions above, it is important to be assessed by an eating disorder professional, such as a therapist, dietician, or physician. A professional can determine if you do, indeed, suffer from anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa. Once you have been assessed by someone and a diagnosis has been determined, a professional can also help you begin treatment by determining what level of care would be appropriate for you, as well as helping you to build a treatment team.