Understanding Eating Disorders: Signs and Symptoms
Eating disorders are a group of conditions marked by an unhealthy relationship with food. Here are the main types of eating disorders and their signs:
Anorexia Nervosa
People with anorexia nervosa have an extreme fear of gaining weight and often diet and exercise relentlessly, sometimes to the point of starvation. They have a distorted body image, seeing themselves as overweight despite being underweight. The signs of anorexia can be subtle at first but become more apparent as the disorder progresses.
Common Signs of Anorexia Nervosa:
- Dramatic weight loss
- Wearing loose, bulky clothes to hide weight loss
- Preoccupation with food, dieting, and counting calories
- Refusal to eat certain foods, such as carbs or fats
- Avoiding mealtimes or eating in front of others
- Preparing elaborate meals for others but refusing to eat them
- Exercising excessively
- Making comments about being “fat”
- Stopping menstruating
- Complaining about constipation or stomach pain
- Denying that extreme thinness is a problem
If left untreated, anorexia can lead to serious complications such as malnutrition and organ failure. However, with treatment, most people with anorexia can recover and regain the weight they lost.
Bulimia Nervosa
People with bulimia nervosa experience episodes of eating large amounts of food (bingeing) followed by purging (vomiting or using laxatives), fasting, or excessive exercise to compensate for the overeating. Unlike anorexia, people with bulimia are often a normal weight but share the same intense fear of gaining weight and distorted body image.
Common Signs of Bulimia Nervosa:
- Evidence of binge eating, such as disappearance of large amounts of food or finding empty food wrappers
- Evidence of purging, such as trips to the bathroom after meals, sounds or smells of vomiting, or packages of laxatives
- Skipping meals or eating very small portions
- Exercising excessively
- Wearing baggy clothes to hide the body
- Complaining about being “fat”
- Using gum, mouthwash, or mints excessively
- Constantly dieting
- Scarred knuckles from repeatedly inducing vomiting
If left untreated, bulimia can lead to long-term health problems such as abnormal heart rhythms, bleeding from the esophagus, dental problems, and kidney issues. However, bulimia can be treated successfully with therapy and medication.
Binge Eating Disorder
People with binge eating disorder have frequent episodes of consuming large quantities of food. Unlike bulimia, they do not purge, fast, or exercise excessively after binging. They often feel out of control during these episodes and experience guilt and shame afterward. This behavior often leads to obesity.
Common Signs of Binge Eating Disorder:
- Evidence of binge eating, such as disappearance of large amounts of food or finding empty food wrappers
- Hoarding food or hiding large quantities of food in strange places
- Wearing baggy clothes to hide the body
- Skipping meals or avoiding eating in front of others
- Constantly dieting but rarely losing weight
Binge eating disorder can have serious health consequences due to obesity. Treatment often includes behavioral weight reduction programs, medication, and psychotherapy.
Recognizing the Signs and Getting Help
Recognizing the signs and symptoms of an eating disorder is the first step toward getting help. Eating disorders are treatable, and with the right treatment and support, most people can learn healthy eating habits and regain control of their lives.
