EmpowHer asks: What signs indicate an individual has anorexia nervosa? Dr. Carolyn Ross: You can look for signs to tell if your loved one has anorexia and they are pretty definite. One is that I think is really important is the refusal or inability to maintain your normal body weight. The second is an intense fear of gaining weight. So if you or someone you care about is constantly worried about how they look and if they also so think that they look much, much larger than they actually do, then it is likely that they are struggling with disordered eating and should be seen by a health care professional.