If you believe that thoughts about food, weight, and appearance may be taking up too much of your time, then you may be experiencingsymptoms of an eating disorder. Common eating disorders includeanorexia nervosa,bulimia nervosa,binge eating disorder, orother specified feeding and eating disorder.

When you have an eating disorder, it’s important to seek help as fast as possible, sincetreatmenthelps most when you get it quickly.

What to Know About Eating Disorders

What Is the SCOFF Questionnaire?

The SCOFF questionnaire utilizes an acronym (Sick,Control,One,Fat,Food), which does not translate perfectly to other countries because of the reference to “one stone.” It also does not translate exactly as the “sick” is specifically means “vomit.” However, the questions themselves are easily adapted to any culture.

Answering “yes” to two or more of the following questions indicates a possible case of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or other eating disorder:

Next Steps

If you answered “yes” to two or more of the questions above, you should make an appointment for an assessment with an eating disorder professional, such as a therapist,dietitian, or physician. A professional can determine if you do, indeed, suffer from anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, or other eating disorder.

If you didn’t answer “yes” to two or more of the questions but you believe you may have a problem anyway or someone else is concerned about your eating or exercise behavior, you still should seek help, since the SCOFF questionnaire may not pick up all eating disorders or disordered eating behaviors.

It is also common for many people with eating disorders do not believe they are ill. You may still be struggling with body-image concerns or anobsession with healthy eating, in which case treatment may help you.

The Different Causes of Eating Disorders

How to Find Professional Help

This can be difficult, and you may want to find someone close to you who can help you locate the right professionals, make phone calls for you, and maybe even go with you to appointments. This support person can be anyone whom you trust to share what you are struggling with, including a family member, a close friend, a teacher or a member of the clergy.

It takes courage to seek treatment, but recognizing that you have a problem and realizing you need help are critical first steps to your treatment and recovery from your eating disorder.

The Best Online Therapy ProgramsWe’ve tried, tested and written unbiased reviews of the best online therapy programs including Talkspace, Betterhelp, and Regain.

It’s not always easy to find professionals who specialize in treating eating disorders. If you’re having trouble locating someone, try asking your family physician, obstetrician/gynecologist, a school counselor, a teacher, a clergy member, or a nurse. You may also have friends or family members who could recommend a therapist or psychiatrist to you.

You may also want toexplore self-help optionsfor bulimia nervosa or binge eating disorder.

4 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Sanchez-Armass O, Raffaelli M, Andrade FCD, et al.Validation of the SCOFF questionnaire for screening of eating disorders among Mexican university students.Eat Weight Disord. 2017;22(1):153-160. doi:10.1007/s40519-016-0259-7Morgan JF, Reid F, Lacey JH.The SCOFF questionnaire: a new screening tool for eating disorders.West J Med. 2000;172(3):164–165. doi:10.1136/ewjm.172.3.164Hill LS, Reid F, Morgan JF, Lacey JH.SCOFF, the development of an eating disorder screening questionnaire.Int J Eat Disord. 2010;43(4):344-51. doi:10.1002/eat.20679Solmi F, Hatch SL, Hotopf M, Treasure J, Micali N.Validation of the SCOFF questionnaire for eating disorders in a multiethnic general population sample.Int J Eat Disord. 2015;48(3):312–316. doi:10.1002/eat.22373Additional ReadingMorgan JF, Reid F, Lacey JH.The SCOFF questionnaire: assessment of a new screening tool for eating disorders.BMJ. 1999;319(7223):1467–1468. doi:10.1136/bmj.319.7223.1467

4 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Sanchez-Armass O, Raffaelli M, Andrade FCD, et al.Validation of the SCOFF questionnaire for screening of eating disorders among Mexican university students.Eat Weight Disord. 2017;22(1):153-160. doi:10.1007/s40519-016-0259-7Morgan JF, Reid F, Lacey JH.The SCOFF questionnaire: a new screening tool for eating disorders.West J Med. 2000;172(3):164–165. doi:10.1136/ewjm.172.3.164Hill LS, Reid F, Morgan JF, Lacey JH.SCOFF, the development of an eating disorder screening questionnaire.Int J Eat Disord. 2010;43(4):344-51. doi:10.1002/eat.20679Solmi F, Hatch SL, Hotopf M, Treasure J, Micali N.Validation of the SCOFF questionnaire for eating disorders in a multiethnic general population sample.Int J Eat Disord. 2015;48(3):312–316. doi:10.1002/eat.22373Additional ReadingMorgan JF, Reid F, Lacey JH.The SCOFF questionnaire: assessment of a new screening tool for eating disorders.BMJ. 1999;319(7223):1467–1468. doi:10.1136/bmj.319.7223.1467

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Sanchez-Armass O, Raffaelli M, Andrade FCD, et al.Validation of the SCOFF questionnaire for screening of eating disorders among Mexican university students.Eat Weight Disord. 2017;22(1):153-160. doi:10.1007/s40519-016-0259-7Morgan JF, Reid F, Lacey JH.The SCOFF questionnaire: a new screening tool for eating disorders.West J Med. 2000;172(3):164–165. doi:10.1136/ewjm.172.3.164Hill LS, Reid F, Morgan JF, Lacey JH.SCOFF, the development of an eating disorder screening questionnaire.Int J Eat Disord. 2010;43(4):344-51. doi:10.1002/eat.20679Solmi F, Hatch SL, Hotopf M, Treasure J, Micali N.Validation of the SCOFF questionnaire for eating disorders in a multiethnic general population sample.Int J Eat Disord. 2015;48(3):312–316. doi:10.1002/eat.22373

Sanchez-Armass O, Raffaelli M, Andrade FCD, et al.Validation of the SCOFF questionnaire for screening of eating disorders among Mexican university students.Eat Weight Disord. 2017;22(1):153-160. doi:10.1007/s40519-016-0259-7

Morgan JF, Reid F, Lacey JH.The SCOFF questionnaire: a new screening tool for eating disorders.West J Med. 2000;172(3):164–165. doi:10.1136/ewjm.172.3.164

Hill LS, Reid F, Morgan JF, Lacey JH.SCOFF, the development of an eating disorder screening questionnaire.Int J Eat Disord. 2010;43(4):344-51. doi:10.1002/eat.20679

Solmi F, Hatch SL, Hotopf M, Treasure J, Micali N.Validation of the SCOFF questionnaire for eating disorders in a multiethnic general population sample.Int J Eat Disord. 2015;48(3):312–316. doi:10.1002/eat.22373

Morgan JF, Reid F, Lacey JH.The SCOFF questionnaire: assessment of a new screening tool for eating disorders.BMJ. 1999;319(7223):1467–1468. doi:10.1136/bmj.319.7223.1467

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