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Signs
and
symptoms:
Anorexia
Nervosa
- Loss
of
significant
amount
of
weight
in
a
short
period
of
time
- Intense,
irrational
fear
of
weight
gain
and/or
of
looking
fat.
Obsession
with
fat,
calories,
and
weight.
- Distorted
body
image.
The
person
feels
and
sees
himself
or
herself
as
fat
when
below
normal
weight
for his
or
her
height
and
age.
- A
need
to
be
perfect
or
in
control
in
one
area
of
life.
- Marked
physical
effects,
including
loss
of
hair,
slowed
heart
rate,
low
blood
pressure,
feeling
cold
due
to
decrease in
body
temperature,
and
absence
of
menstrual
periods
in
females.
Bulimia
Nevosa
- Repeated
acts
of
binge
eating
and
purging.
Purging
can
be
through
vomiting;
taking
laxatives,
water
pills,
and/or
diet pills;
fasting;
and
exercising
excessively
to "undo" the
binge.
- Excessive
concern
about
body
weight
- Being
overweight,
underweight,
or
normal
weight
- Frequent
dieting
- Dental
problems,
mouth
sores,
and
chronic
sore
throat
- Frequent
time
spent
in
bathrooms
- Because
of
binge-purge
cycles,
severe
health
problems,
such
as
stomach
damage,
an
irregular
heartbeat,
and
kidney
and
bone damage
can
occur.
Binge
Eating
Disorder
- Periods
of
continuous
and
sporadic
eating
that
are
unrelated
to
hunger
- Impulsive
binging
on
food
without
fasts
- Repeated
use
of
diets
or
sporadic
fasts
- Weight
can
range
from
normal
weight
to
mild,
moderate,
or
severe
obesity.
[Go
to
Self-Care
Prevention]
Still
not sure?
Ask yourself
with
these
questions.
1.
Have
you lost
more
than
10 pounds
by binging
and purging,
fasting,
dieting,
and/or
exercising
on purpose,
with
any of
these
problems?
- An
intense
fear
of
gaining
weight
or
of
getting
fat
- You
see
yourself
as
fat
even
though
you
are
at
normal
weight
or
are
underweight.
- You
continue
to
diet
and
exercise
excessively
even
though
you
have
reached
your
goal
weight.
If yes to
one
of
these
symptoms
described
above, please
see
your
doctor.
If no,
continue
on
to
the
next
question
2.
Do you
have
recurrent
episodes
of eating
a large
amount
of food
within
2 hours,
are not
able
to control
the amount
of food
you eat,
and do
you at least
3 of
the following?
- Eat
very
fast
- Eat
until
you
feel
comfortably
full
- Eat
when
you
are
not
hungry
- Eat
alone
due
to
embarrassment
- Feel
depressed,
disgusted,
and/or
guilty
after
you
overeat
If yes to
one
of
these
symptoms
described
above, please
see
your
doctor.
If no,
continue
on
to
the
next
question
3.
Do you
hoard
food,
induce
vomiting
and/or
take
laxatives
and/or
water
pills
right
after
meals?
If yes to
one
of
these
symptoms
described
above, please
see
your
doctor.
If no,
continue
on
to
the
next
question
4.
Do you
have
a combination
of the
following
problems
with
abnormal
eating
behaviors?
- An
irregular
heartbeat
- A
slow
pulse
and/or
low
blood
pressure
- Rapid
tooth
decay
- Low
body
temperature;
cold
hands
and
feet
- Thin
air
(or
hair
loss)
on
the
head;
baby-like
hair
growth
on
the
body
- Dry
skin
or
fingernails
that
split,
peel,
or
crack
- Problems
with
bloating,
digestion,
or
constipation
- Three
or
more
missed
periods
in
a
row
or
delayed
onset
of
menstruation
- Periods
of
depression,
lethargy,
euphoria,
and/or
hyperactivity
- Tiredness,
weakness,
muscle
cramps,
tremors
- Lack
of
contrentration
If yes to
one
of
these
symptoms
described
above, please
see
your
doctor.
If no to
all
questions,
use
self-care
prevention.
Self-Care
Prevention
- Eat
at
regular
times
during
the
day.
Don't
skip
meals;
if
you
do,
you
are
more
likely
to binge.
- Remember
that
all
foods
are
okay
to
eat.
Having
a
balance
of
foods
is
the
goal.
- Get
regular,
but
moderate
exercise
3
to
4
times
a
week.
if
you
exercise
more
than
your
health care
provider
advises,
make
an
effort
to
do
nonexercise
activities
with
friends
and
family.
- If
you
participate
in
competitive
or
other
sports,
consult
your
coach,
trainer,
or
sports
nutritionist
for
sound
advice to
be
at
a
healthy
weight
for
your
sport.
Don't
fast,
use
laxatives,
etc.,
to "make
weight".
The
health
consequences
could
be
devastating
and
definitely
impair
your
performance.
- Find
success
in
your
work,
hobbies,
and
volunteer
activities.
- Learn
as
much
as
you
can
about
eating
disorders
from
books
and
related
organizations.
Strive
for
Body
Acceptance:
- Accept
that
bodies
come
in
variety
of
shapes
and
sizes.
- Don't
let
your
body
define
who
you
are.
You
are
much
more
than
just
a
body.
- You
can
be
your
worst
critic.
Most
likely,
others
find
you
more
attractive
than
you
see
yourself.
- Don't
judge
others
on
the
basis
of
their
appearance,
body
size,
or
shape.
- Accept
weekly
and
monthly
changes
in
weight
and
shape.
- Explore
all
the
things
you
have
to
offer
others.
Recognize
you
positive
qualities.
- Enjoy
the
people
and
positive
things
in
your
life
instead
of
spending
a
lot
of
energy
pursuing
the perfect
image.
- Be
aware
of
your
weight
prejudice.
Explore
how
those
feelings
may
affect
your
self-esteem.
- Don't
forget
that
you
are
not
alone
in
your
pursuit
of
self-acceptance.
It
is
a
life-long
process
that many
people
struggle
with.
If
you
have
an
Eating
Disorder:
- Follow
your
health
care
provider's
treatment
plan.
- Attend
counseling
sessions
and/or
support
group
meeting
as
scheduled.
- Identify
feelings
before,
during,
and
after
you
overeat,
binge,
purge,
restrict
food
intake.
What
is
it
that
you are
hoping
the
food
will
do?
- Set
small
goals
that
you
can
accomplish
easily
and
congratulate
yourself
for
every
success.
This
is
a
process. Accept
set
backs
and
learn
from
them.
- Talk
to
someone
instead
of
turning
to
food.
- Work
toward
the
point
where
weight
is
no
longer
something
by
which
you
rate
your
success.
Think
about your
accomplishments,
positive
personal
qualities,
and
valued
relationships.
- Learn
to
recognize
your
personal
rights
and
to
state
how
you
feel.
You
have
the
right
to
say no,
the
right
to
express
your
feelings
and
your
opinions,
and
the
right
to
ask
to
have your
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