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.