sofidexFor patientsAre you a clinician? Clinical site
Ask Sofi
Listen
Patient SupportEmergencies & Reporting
Log inSign up

Warning-sign checks

Food addiction: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Seek emergency help now for:

    • Thoughts of suicide or an immediate risk of self-harm
    • Fainting with slow recovery, confusion, or severe weakness
    • Chest pain, severe shortness of breath, or a seizure
    • Vomiting blood or passing black, tar-like stool
    • Severe dehydration, such as very little urine with confusion

    These signs are not specific to food addiction.

    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Prompt assessment is important if you are fainting, becoming increasingly weak, vomiting frequently, or struggling to eat or drink enough.

    These can indicate a physical complication.

    They need urgent assessment regardless of the cause.

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • is vomiting and cannot keep fluids down
  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Arrange a routine appointment if eating repeatedly feels out of control, causes distress, or interferes with relationships, work, health, or finances.

    Seek help if you regularly binge, severely restrict food, vomit, misuse laxatives, or exercise to compensate for eating.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Food addiction. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.