Common Eating Disorders
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Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia is characterized by excessive weight loss through restrictive eating. For many people, this means restricting food intake until he/she eats very little, if at all.
Anorexia may be life threatening.
Signs and Symptoms
- loss of a significant amount of weight
- continuing to diet although thin
- feeling fat, even after losing weight
- Intense fear of weight gain
- preoccupation with food, calories, fat contents and nutrition
- lying about food
- preferring to diet in isolation
- cooking for others
- exercising compulsively
- depression, anxiety
Physical Consequences
- shrunken organs
- bone mineral loss, which can lead to osteoporosis
- low body temperature
- low blood pressure
- slowed metabolism and reflexes
- Irregular heartbeat, which can lead to cardiac arrest
- hair loss
- cold hands and feet
- fainting spells
- weakness, exhaustion
- periods of hyperactivity
- constipation
- growth of fine body hair on arms, legs, and other body parts
- heart tremors
- dry, brittle skin
- shortness of breath
- fertility concerns
- loss of monthly menstrual periods
Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia is characterized by a binging and purging cycle. People who are bulimic consume large amounts of calories (5,000-6,000) in a short period of time (1-2 hours). The binge is followed by purging in which the person vomits or uses laxatives to rid his/her body of the food he/she just consumed.
Signs and Symptoms
- binging, or eating uncontrollably
- purging by strict dieting, fasting, vigorous exercise, vomiting or abusing laxatives or diuretics in an attempt to lose weight
- using the bathroom frequently after meals
- preoccupation with body weight
- depression
- mood swings
- feeling out of control
Physical Consequences
- dehydration
- damage to bowels, liver and kidney
- electrolyte imbalance, which leads to irregular heartbeat, and in some cases, cardiac arrest
- swollen glands in neck and face
- heartburn
- bloating
- irregular periods
- dental problems
- constipation
- indigestion
- sore throat
- vomiting blood
- weakness, exhaustion
- bloodshot eyes
Binge Eating
Binge eating is similar to bulimia in that large amounts of calories are consumed. However, there is no purge cycle in this disorder. A person who is a binge eater often eats when not physically hungry, at night or in secret, is obsessed with food, and often feels exceedingly guilty and shameful.
Signs and Symptoms
- episodes of binge eating
- frequent dieting
- unable to stop eating voluntarily
- awareness that eating patterns are abnormal
- weight fluctuations
- depressed mood
- feeling ashamed
- antisocial behavior
- obesity
Physical Consequences
- high blood pressure
- high cholesterol
- gall bladder disease
- diabetes
- heart disease
- certain types of cancer