Symptoms and Warning Signs
Anorexia Nervosa
- emaciation (extremely thin from lack of nutrition)
- relentless pursuit of thinness; unwilling to maintain a normal or healthy weight
- distorted body image; intense fear of gaining weight
- lack of menstruation among girls and women
- repeatedly weighing him/herself
- portioning food carefully, eating only small amounts of only certain foods
- excessive exercise, self-induced vomiting, misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or enemas
Other symptoms that may develop over time:
- thinning bones
- brittle hair and nails
- dry, yellowish skin
- growth of fine hair over the body
- mild anemia and muscle weakness and loss
- severe constipation
- low blood pressure, slowed breathing and pulse
- feeling cold all the time
- lethargy
Bulimia Nervosa
- frequently eating large amounts of food (binge-eating)
- feeling a lack of control over the eating
- compensating for binge-eating with self-induced vomiting, misuse of laxatives and diuretics, fasting, and excessive exercise
- binging and purging in secret; feelings of shame and disgust
- intensely unhappy with body size and shape despite normal height and weight
Other symptoms include:
- chronically inflamed and sore throat
- swollen glands in neck and below jaw
- worn tooth enamel from exposure to stomach acids
- gastroesophageal reflux disorder
- intestinal distress from laxative abuse
- kidney problems from diuretic abuse
- severe dehydration from purging
Binge Eating Disorder
- frequently eating large amounts of food (binge-eating)
- feeling unable to control the eating behavior
- feelings of guilt, shame, and/or distress about the behavior, which can lead to more binge-eating
Read More "Eating Disorders" Articles
Understanding Eating Disorders: Anorexia, Bulemia, and Binge-Eating / Males and Eating Disorders / Symptoms and Warning Signs
Spring 2008 Issue: Volume 3 Number 2 Page 19