Detecting the signs of an Eating Disorder

Here are some of the signs that may indicate an eating disorder.

Anorexia Nervosa

* 30% body weight loss due to refusal to eat/varied excuses for missing meals
* Wanting to lose weight when normal weight, or under weight
* Intense fear of eating
* Obsession about food or calories
* Excessive exercising
* Period problems, absence
* Moodiness and sleeping problems
* Fainting and dizzy spells
* Wearing baggy clothes to disguise weight loss
* Increasing isolation and loss of friends
* Always feeling cold, poor circulation
* Growth of fine downy hair all over body
* Reduced libido
* Reluctance to admit to having a problem

Bulimia Nervosa

* Consuming enormous numbers of calories at one sitting
* Disappearing to lavatory after food consumed: to vomit up same
* Secretive behaviour, mood swings
* Feeling out of control, helpless and lonely
* No energy, generally unwell
* Sore throat
* Digestive problems
* Erosion of tooth enamel, caused by vomiting stomach acids
* Salivary gland enlargement in cheeks
* Poor skin condition
* Dehydration
* Reluctance to admit to having a problem

Compulsive overeating

* Eating food by “picking” constantly, causing excessive weight gain

See below to find out more from our knowledge resource on eating disorders:

* Causes of eating disorders
* Bulimia Nervosa
* Anorexia Nervosa
* Eating disorders self help
* Overeating and Binge Eating