Eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia are becoming more common. They mainly affect adolescents and young women, but older men and women can also suffer from an eating disorder. Anyone with this medical/psychological condition should be treated as soon as possible to avoid serious health complications. Early detection and treatment can literally save lives.
There are certain signs and symptoms that can indicate if a person has an eating disorder. The most common are listed below. If you notice this in yourself or someone you know, there is a chance that you or that person needs professional help. Talk to your parents, a health advisor, or an adult you trust to help you get properly evaluated, diagnosed, and, if necessary, treated.
Physical signs and symptoms
- Noticeable weight loss (for people suffering from anorexia nervosa)
- Weight fluctuations (for people with bulimia nervosa). The weight may move up and down, or it may be within the normal range.
- Cold intolerance. The person feels cold easily.
- Frequent experience of abdominal pain, constipation, acid reflux and other digestive problems.
- Feeling dizzy and sometimes passing out.
- Either lethargy or excess energy, or alternating experiences of these two opposite states
- Irregularities in the menstrual period
- Dental problems (such as cavities, tooth discoloration, and tooth sensitivity)
- Dry skin, nails and hair. The person may also have sparse hair and brittle nails.
- Poor wound healing and immune function. She catches the flu and common infections easily.
- Swollen salivary glands (along the neck and jaw areas)
behavioral signs
- Dress in layers or loose clothing to hide weight loss (and also to keep warm)
- A concern with weight loss and diet. The person is very concerned about food choices and nutritional facts (calories, fat content, etc.). You may refuse to eat certain types of food altogether, such as carbohydrates or fats.
- Frequently commenting that they are fat or overweight, although this is obviously not true
- Frequently saying that they are not hungry, even during meals when they should be hungry.
- Skipping meals or eating very little during meals
- Occasionally binge eating (eating a large amount of food in a short period of time)
- Purge. This is done by going to the bathroom during or after meals, vomiting, or using laxatives and diuretics.
- Unusual eating rituals, such as excessive chewing, not allowing different foods on your plate to touch, and eating only certain types of food (for example, only vegetables and salads)
- Excessive consumption of water or non-caloric beverages
- Hoarding food in unusual places
- excessive exercise
- Look in the mirror frequently to check your appearance.
- Difficulty sleeping or getting a good night’s sleep
Emotional signs and symptoms
- You fear eating in public or feel uncomfortable eating with other people.
- He prefers to be alone and withdraws from friends and social events.
- Has extreme mood swings
- You have an intense and irrational fear of gaining weight.
- You have a distorted image of your body.
- You may have low self-esteem.
The presence of these signs and symptoms does not indicate with absolute certainty that the person has an eating disorder. Only a professional doctor can properly diagnose the condition, so it’s best to see one as soon as possible.
