Eating Disorder Symptom-Anorexia & Bulimia

Here is a list of signs that could mean a person has an eating disorder. I am not a doctor and no one should assume that if a friend or loved one is showing just a couple of these signs that they have an eating disorder. A doctor's professional opinion should be sought. This is a very serious disorder and should not be ignored!! I can not stress the fact that a professional opinion should be sought and help should be taken immediately.


• Dramatic weight loss in a short period of time.


• Wearing big or baggy clothes or dressing in layers to hide body shape and/or weight loss.


• Obsession with weight and complaining of weight problems (even if "average" weight or thin).


• Obsession with calories, fat and exercise.



• Frequent trips to the bathroom immediately following meals (you may hear water running in the bathroom for a long period of time to hide the sound of vomiting).



• Visible food restriction and self-starvation.



• Visible binging and/or purging.



• Use or hiding use of diet pills, laxatives, ipecac syrup or enemas.


• Fear of eating around and with others. Unusual Food rituals such as shifting the food around on the plate to look eaten; cutting food into tiny pieces; making sure the fork avoids contact with the lips , chewing food and spitting it out, but not swallowing; dropping food into napkin on lap to later throw away.


• Hiding food in strange places to avoid eating (Anorexia) or to eat at a later time (Bulimia).


• Flushing uneaten food down the toilet.


• Vague or secretive eating patterns.


• Keeping a "food diary" or lists that consists of food and/or behaviors (ie., purging, restricting, calories consumed, exercise, etc.)


• Pre-occupied thoughts of food, weight and cooking.


• Visiting websites that promote unhealthy ways to lose weight.


• Reading books about weight loss and eating disorders.


• Self-defeating statements after food consumption.


• Hair loss. pale or "grey" appearance to the skin.


• Dizziness and headaches.


• Frequent soar throats and/or swollen glands.


• Low self-esteem, feeling worthless, often putting themselves down and complaining of being "too stupid" or "too fat" and saying they don't matter. Need for acceptance and approval from others.


• Complaints of feeling cold.


• Low blood pressure, loss of menstrual cycle, constipation or incontinence.


• Bruised or calluses knuckles; bloodshot or bleeding in the eyes; light bruising under the eyes and on the cheeks.


• Perfectionist personality.


• Loss of sexual desire or promiscuous relations.


• Mood swings, depression, fatigue, insomnia and poor sleeping habits
  

Remember seek help for your loved one ASAP!