Eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder include extreme emotions, attitudes, and behaviors surrounding weight and food issues. There are serious emotional and physical problems that can have life threatening consequences for females and males with an eating disorder.

Eating disorder specialists believe that the chance for recovery increases with earlier symptoms are detected.   Therefore it is important to be aware of some of the warning signs of eating disorders.

Symptoms:

Anorexia Nervosa

Refusal to maintain body weight at or above a minimally normal weight for height, body type, age, and activity level

 

Intense fear of  weight gain or being "fat"

 

Feeling "fat" or overweight despite dramatic weight loss

 

Loss of menstrual periods

 

Extreme concern with body weight and shape

 

Symptoms:

Bulimia Nervosa

Regular intake of large amounts of food accompanied by a sense of loss of control over eating behavior.  

Regular use of inappropriate compensatory behaviors such as self-induced vomiting, laxative or diurectic abuse, fasting, and/or obsessive or compulsive exercise.

Extreme concern with body weight and shape.