It is estimated that between 7 and 10 million Americans suffer from an eating disorder. The three main types of eating disorders are anorexia, bulimia and binge eating (also known as compulsive overeating). Not everyone who has an eating disorder will appear severely thin or underweight, but there are some common symptoms of an eating disorder that many sufferers share.

Anorexia
Anorexia is characterized as an obsession with food and of being thin. People suffering from anorexia will exercise excessively or starve themselves in order to stay thin.

Physical symptoms of anorexia include:
•    Dry skin
•    Brittle nails
•    Thinning hair that breaks or falls out
•    Irregular or absent menstrual cycles
•    Growth of fine body hair that covers the entire body
•    Fatigue
•    Dizziness or fainting
•    Dehydration
•    Irregular heart rhythms
•    Low blood pressure
•    Organ damage
•    Bone loss

Emotional/behavioral symptoms of anorexia include:
•    Refusal to eat and denial of hunger
•    Excessive exercise
•    Difficulty concentrating
•    Preoccupation with food and obsession with the calories and fat content of food
•    Eating only “safe” foods that are low in fat and calories
•    Adopting rigid eating rituals, such as weighing food, chewing food a certain number of times, or spitting it out after chewing.
•    Wearing baggy clothes to hide weight loss
•    Keeping a food diary
•    Mood swings
•    Depression
•    Insomnia or poor sleeping habits

Bulimia
Bulimia is characterized as episodes of binging (eating a lot of food in a short period of time) followed by purging (ridding the body of the calories just consumed). Purging commonly occurs by vomiting, but can also include the use of laxatives and compulsive exercise.

Physical symptoms of bulimia include:
•    Constipation
•    Eroded tooth enamel
•    Tears in the esophagus
•    Stomach ulcers
•    Dehydration
•    Bloating
•    Fatigue
•    Dry skin
•    Irregular heartbeat
•    Irregular or absent menstrual cycles
•    Frequent sore throats and/or swollen glands
•    Bloodshot eyes or light bruising under the eyes
•    Sores or calluses on hands’ knuckles

Emotional/behavioral symptoms of bulimia include:
•    Mood swings
•    Depression
•    Insomnia or poor sleeping habits
•    Constant dieting
•    Feeling unable to control eating during binges
•    Frequent trips to the bathroom immediately following meals
•    Use of diet pills, laxatives or enemas
•    Hiding food in strange places and/or hoarding food

Binge Eating (Compulsive Overeating)
Binge eating is characterized as uncontrollable eating past the point of feeling full and to the point of pain and discomfort. These binging episodes are followed by intense feelings of shame and self-loathing and can occur impulsively during a single episode or occur as continuous eating throughout the day. Unlike bulimia, binge eating does not involve purging.

Physical symptoms of binge eating include:
•    Weight gain
•    Leg and joint pain
•    High blood pressure and/or cholesterol
•    Shortness of breath after light activities
•    Irregular or absent menstrual cycles
•    Diabetes

Emotional/behavioral symptoms of binge eating include:
•    Eating faster during binges
•    Feeling like you’re out of control during binges
•    Self-disgust and guilt after overeating
•    Chronic dieting without success
•    Hiding food in strange places to eat at a later time
•    Believing that food is your only friend
•    Hiding empty food containers
•    Mood swings
•    Depression
•    Insomnia or poor sleeping habits

If you or someone you know exhibits any of the symptoms of an eating disorder, get help now. Without treatment, up to 20% of people with serious eating disorders will die from complications. A good eating disorder treatment program can help save you or your loved one from a life of pain, sickness and possible death.

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