Eating Disorder Signs & Symptoms
Can include some combination of the signs and symptoms of anorexia,
bulimia, and/or binge eating disorder. While these behaviors may not be clinically
considered a full syndrome eating disorder, they can still be physically dangerous
and emotionally draining. All eating disorders require professional help. Bulimia Nervosa
What are the Symptoms of Bulimia?
Symptoms of Bulimia include frequent binge eating (eating very large
amounts of food in a short period of time); feeling a lack of control over eating;
regular self-induced vomiting; using laxatives or water pills; strict dieting,
fasting or vigorous exercise to prevent weight gain; and judging oneself mainly
by body shape and weight. Other symptoms may include cutting down strictly on
food or liquids; Ipecac or enema abuse (also called purging); loss of appetite;
weight gain or loss of 10 pounds or more; and physical changes including salt
and fluid imbalance, menstrual problems, hair loss, chronic sore throat, swollen
parotid glands (the saliva glands below the ears) or severe tooth decay. According
to the World Health Organization, the criteria for a diagnosis of bulimia nervosa
include the following: Usually those with eating disorders have very
low self esteem and often the person feels too fat and generally dissatisfied
with their physical appearance. They may decide to eat less and
avoid fattening foods. The patient with bulimia nervosa becomes preoccupied with
food and eating. They will have episodes of craving for food and bingeing, which
may take place in secret. After bingeing, sufferers feel guilty, and may make
themselves sick.
Bulimia Nervosa has three primary symptoms:
·Regular use of inappropriate compensatory behaviors such as self-induced vomiting, laxative or diuretic abuse, fasting, and/or obsessive or compulsive exercise
·Extreme concern with body weight and shape
·Depression, insecurity, low self-esteem
Eating disorder specialists believe that the chance for recovery increases the earlier bulimia nervosa is detected. Therefore, it is important to be aware of some of the warning signs of bulimia nervosa. Imbalances in the body that affect the heart and other major organ functions. Changes in the mouth are often the first physical signs of an eating disorder. If you notice any of these symptoms, please talk with your patient about ways to care for their teeth and mouth. Bulimia nervosa can be extremely harmful to the body. The recurrent binge-and-purge cycles can impact the entire digestive system and purge behaviors can lead to electrolyte and chemical"
Bulimia Symptoms include:
·Dry or cracked skin (always using lotion) Binge Eating Disorder
·Chapped lips all the time- Enlargement of the salivary glands, dry mouth, and reddened
·Repeated episodes of bingeing and purging
·Feeling out of control during a binge and eating beyond the point of comfortable fullness
·Purging after a binge, (typically by self-induced vomiting, abuse of laxatives, diet pills and/or diuretics, excessive exercise, or fasting)
·Frequent dieting
·Extreme concern with body weight and shape
·Binge eating
·Secretive eating (food missing)
·Bathroom visits after eating
·Vomiting
·Laxative, diet pill or diuretic abuse
·Weight fluctuations (usually with 10-15 lb range)
·Swollen glands
·Broken blood vessels
·Harsh exercise regimes
·Fasting
·Mood swings
·Depression
·Severe self-criticism
·Self-worth determined by weight
·Fear of not being able to stop eating voluntarily
·Self-deprecating thoughts following eating
·Fatigue
·Muscle weakness
·Tooth decay - which can actually be aggravated by extensive tooth brushing or rinsing following vomiting.
·Irregular heartbeats
·Avoidance of restaurants, planned meals or social events
·Complains of sore throat
·Need for approval from others
·Substance abuse
·Ipecac abuse
·Increased sensitivity to temperature. In extreme cases the pulp can be exposed and cause infection, discoloration, or even pulp death.
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Binge Eating Disorder is characterized by:
·Frequent episodes of eating large quantities of food in short periods of time.
·Feeling out of control over eating behavior.
·Feeling ashamed or disgusted by the behavior.
·There are also several behavioral indicators of BED including eating when not hungry and eating in secret.
Signs and Symptoms Compulsive Overeating
·weight gain
·feeling out of control over eating
·low self-esteem
·depression
·anxiety
·experiences fluctuations in weight
·loss of sexual desire
·Hiding food
·Feelings of guilt and shame
·Disgusted with self
·Going on many different diets
·Belief that life will be better if they lose weight
·Secretive eating patterns
·Avoidance of social situations where food will be present
·Suicidal thoughts
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Signs and Symptoms Anorexia Nervosa
·Binge eating
·Fear of not being able to stop eating voluntarily
·Depression
·Self-deprecating thoughts following binges
·Withdrawing from activities because of embarrassment about weight
·Going on many different diets
·Eating little in public, while maintaining a high weight
·Believing they will be a better person when thin
·Feelings about self based on weight
·Social and professional failures attributed to weight
·Feeling tormented by eating habits
·Weight is focus of life
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Anorexia nervosa involves self-starvation. The body is denied the essential nutrients it needs to function normally, so it is forced to slow down all of its processes to conserve energy. This "slowing down" can have serious medical
Anorexia- has four primary symptoms:
·Resistance to maintaining body weight at or above a minimally normal weight for age and height.
·Intense fear of weight gain or being "fat" even though underweight.
·Disturbance in the experience of body weight or shape, undue influence of weight or shape on self-evaluation, or denial of the seriousness of low body weight.
·Loss of menstrual periods in girls and women post-puberty.
Symptoms of Anorexia include:
·Refusal to maintain body weight at or above a minimally normal weight for height, body type, age, and activity level
·Intense fear of weight gain or being "fat"
·Feeling "fat" or overweight despite dramatic weight loss
·Extreme concern with body weight and shape
·Noticeable weight loss
·Becoming withdrawn
·Excessive exercise
·Fatigue
·Always being cold
·Muscle weakness
·Obsession with food, calories, recipes
·Excuses for not eating meals (ie. ate earlier, not feeling well)
·Unusual eating habits (ie. cutting food into tiny pieces, picking at food)
·Noticeable discomfort around food
·Complaining of being "too fat", even when thin
·Cooking for others, but not eating themselves
·Restricting food choices to only diet foods
·Guilt or shame about eating
·Depression, irritability, mood swings
·Evidence of vomiting, laxative abuse, diet pills or diuretics to control weight
·Irregular menstruation
·Amenorrhea(loss of menstruation)
·Wearing baggy clothes to hide weight loss
·Frequently checking weight on scale
·Fainting spells and dizziness
·Difficulty eating in public
·Very secretive about eating patterns
·Pale complexion (almost a pasty look)
·Headaches
·Perfectionistic attitude
·Feelings of self worth determined by what is or is not eaten
·No known physical illness that would explain weight loss
Eating disorders experts have found that prompt intensive treatment significantly improves the chances of recovery. Therefore, it is important to be aware of some of the warning signs of anorexia nervosa.