Hi, I'm Dr. Ellen Hendrickson, and welcome to episode 35 of the savvy psychologist.

I'll help you meet life's challenges with evidence-based research, a sympathetic ear, and zero judgment.

We'll use the best of psychology to help you be happy, healthy, and most importantly yourself.

Disordered eating, the little cousin of eating disorders is so common that it's arguably and unfortunately normal. And while 10% of Americans will experience a full-blown eating disorder at some point in their

life, a 2009 national survey of over 4,000 women ages 25 to 45 found that 65 percent.

That's right, almost two-thirds struggle with disordered eating.

And men aren't immune either, especially as unrealistic male body

standards become more entrenched in the media and our culture. So let's start with the difference

between an eating disorder and disordered eating.

In a nutshell, disordered eating is an unhealthy, obsessive relationship with food and weight.

Disordered eating, no pun intended, is the light version of an eating disorder.

Some of the same behaviors occur but to a lesser degree.

And while disordered eating isn't diagnosable, it does place one at risk for a full-blown eating disorder.

Plus, disordered eating often goes along with depression and anxiety.

It's really hard to hate your body, deny yourself food, and not feel anxious, worthless, or less than.

So this week, here are nine signs of disordered eating.

Again, it's all a matter of degree, but if you decide your relationship with food could use a

tune-up, rest assured you're in good company. And listen on to the end for four tips on what to do next.

Disordered eating sign number one, black and white thinking about food.

You think of foods as either all good or all bad,

and you've accordingly cut out entire food groups like carbs or fat

because you worry they'll make you fat.

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