Common Signs of Anorexia &/or Bulimia
- Considerable weight loss in a short period of time
- Obsession with counting calories & fat grams
- Over-exercising, continuous exercising
- Restricting food consumption, self-starvation
- Perfectionistic tendencies
- Obsession or pre-occupied with weight, size, food or cooking
- Frequent trips to the bathroom during or following meals
- Bingeing and/or purging
- Dental problems, erosion of tooth enamel
- Bloodshot eyes, dark circles beneath eyes
- Secretive eating patterns
- Using laxatives, diet pills, enemas or ipecac syrup
- Headaches, dizziness, swollen glands, hair loss, sore throats
- Complaining about being “too fat”
- Food rituals such as moving food around plate, cutting into small pieces etc.
- Frequently cold, cold hands & feet
- Low blood pressure
- Loss of menstrual cycle
- Mood swings, depression, chronic fatigue, insomnia
Common Signs of Compulsive Overeating &/or Binge Eating
- Chronic dieting, constantly changing diets
- Self-depreciating statements after eating
- Weight gain
- Hiding food, secretive eating, isolating, fear or eating around others
- Shortness of breath, excessive sweating
- Decreased mobility, little or no exercise
- Blames weight for personal, professional or social failure
- High blood pressure &/or high cholesterol
- Mood swings, depression, chronic fatigue, insomnia
- Back pain, leg and joint pain
If you are experiencing several signs and symptoms you may have an eating disorder. Help is available. And consult with a medical professional.