Self Help

Signs and Symptoms of Eating Disorders

ANOREXIA NERVOSA

Physiological

• Weight Loss-Often in a short period of time. At least 15% of original weight
• Cessation of menstruation
• Paleness
• Complaints of feeling cold / low body temperature
• Dizziness and fainting spells / low blood pressure
• Bone mineral loss, leading to osteoporosis
• Irregular heart beat which can lead to cardiac arrest
• Loss of muscle and body fat
• Hair Loss
• Dry skin

Behavioral

• Restricted eating, sever diets, fasting, “vegetarianism”
• Odd food rituals, food combinations
• Avoidance of social situations where food may be present
• Compulsive exercise
• Dressing in layers to hide weight loss, or keep warm
• Bingeing (may be secretive or infrequent)
• Distortion of body image (seeing self as fat even when emaciated)
• Intense Fear of becoming fat, regardless of low weight
• Use of laxatives, enemas, or diuretics
• Interest in cooking and feeding others

Attitude Shifts

• Mood shifts / depression / anxiety
• Perfectionistic attitude
• Insecurities about capabilities regardless of actual performance
• Self-worth is determined by food intake
• Social isolation

From Surviving an Eating Disorder. Siegel. M. et al (1988). Harper and Row and from American Anorexia Bulimia Association, Facts on Eating Disorders.

BULIMIA NERVOSA

Physiological

• Person may be under-, over-, or normal weight
• Swollen glands, puffiness in the cheeks, or broken vessels under the eyes
• Sore throat
• Fatigue and muscle ache
• Unexplained tooth decay
• Frequent weight fluctuations
• Electrolyte imbalance which can lead to irregular heartbeat, and in some cases, cardiac arrest.

Behavioral

• Secretive eating (missing food)
• Avoidance of restaurants, planned meals or social events if food is present
• Self-disgust when too much has been eaten
• Bathroom visits after meals
• The use of diet pills
• Rigid and harsh exercise regimes
• Fear of being fat, regardless of weight
• Bingeing that may alternate with fasting
• Preoccupation / constant talk about food or weight
• Vomiting and laxative use
• Shoplifting (sometimes food or laxatives)

Attitude Shifts

• Mood shifts including depression, sadness, guilt, and self-hate
• Severe self-criticism
• The need for approval
• Self-worth determined by weight
• Feeling out of control

-- From Surviving an Eating Disorder. Siegel. M. et al (1988). Harper and Row and from American Anorexia Bulimia Association, Facts on Eating Disorders.

BINGE EATING DISORDER

Physiological

• Weight-related hypertension or fatigue
• Weight gain
• High cholesterol
• Diabetes
• Heart Disease

Behavioral

• Bingeing
• Restriction of activities because of embarrassment about weight
• Going from one diet to the next
• Eating small amounts in public while maintaining a high weight

Attitude Shifts

• Feeling about self based on weight and control of eating
• Fantasizing about being thin
• Depression
• Guilt / shame

From Surviving an Eating Disorder. Siegel. M. et al (1988). Harper and Row and from American Anorexia Bulimia Association, Facts on Eating Disorders.