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Signs & Symptoms of Eating Disorders

Whether its Anorexia, Bulimia, or Compulsive Overeating, all eating disorders can involve the following signs and symptoms. It is common for eating disorders to co-exist with one another rather than in isolation. Three or more of the following may indicate an eating disorder.

1. Thoughts about feeling fat
2. Fear of gaining weight
3. Feelings of loss of control when eating
4. Weight determines self-esteem
5. Body image obsession
6. Guilt or shame after eating
7. Repeated attempts at dieting
8. Eating large amounts of food in a short period of time
9. Self-consciousness or embarrassment about eating
10. Sneaking food
11. Lying about eating habits
12. Restrictive eating
13. Self-induced vomiting
14. Laxative abuse
15. Diuretic abuse
16. Use of diet pills
17. Use of Ipecac
18. Compulsive exercise
19. Eating to relieve stress or depression
20. Perfectionism
21. Eating when not hungry
22. Eating sensibly in front others and then making up for it when alone
23. Depression
24. Low body weight
25. Embarrassment about body weight
26. Low self-esteem
27. Difficulty identifying or expressing feelings
28. Strict dieting
29. Fasting
30. Menstrual irregularities
31. Gastrointestinal complaints

Signs and Symptoms of Anorexia (Specific)

Listed in no particular order, the following symptoms are commonly related to Anorexia. All of the symptoms do not need to be present (do not include physical symptoms).

1. Refusal to maintain a body weight which is consistent with build, age and height (body weight 85% or less than that which is considered typical for someone of similar build, age and height)
2. An intense and overwhelming fear of gaining weight or becoming fat (regardless of the persons actual weight -- this will often continue even when the person is near death from starvation)
3. Disturbances in the perception of the shape or size of body (body weight, shape and size is directly related to how good they feel about themselves)
4. Deny the seriousness of their condition and can not objectively evaluate their own weight
5. At least three consecutive missed menstrual cycles (if the woman was menstruating previously before the onset of the disorder)
6. May indulge in compensatory behavior such as overexercising, induce vomiting or abuse laxative or diuretics to lose weight
7. Avoidance of eating denial of hunger, avoiding social gatherings where food is involved
8. Development of food rituals that allow for eating very little (eats in secrecy, eats foods in a certain order, excessive chewing, rearranges food on the plate, eats unnaturally small amounts of food)
9. Difficulty concentrating on anything else except weight
10. Isolation from family and friends
11. Irritability and feelings of guilt and depression
12. Dependence upon alcohol and drugs to handle the negative outlook

Signs and Symptoms of Bulimia (Specific)

Usually well-concealed from family and/or friends, it can remain undetected for many years. Bulimia is diagnosed when several of the following exist simultaneously, listed in no particular order and do not include physical symptoms.

1. Eating unusually large amounts of food with no apparent change in weight
2. Disappearance of large amounts of food in short periods of time
3. Presence of wrappers and containers indicating the consumption of large amounts of food
4. Frequent trips to the bathroom after meals, signs and/or smells of vomiting, evidence of laxatives or diuretics
5. Going to the kitchen after everyone else has gone to bed or going for unexpected walks or drives at night (bulimics try to binge when others are not around)
6. Excessive, rigid exercise regimen
7. Creation of complex lifestyles schedules or rituals to make time for binge-and-purge sessions
8. Withdrawal from usual friends and activities
9. Preoccupation with body weight, weight loss, dieting, and control
10. Depression and mood swings
11. Extreme or impulsive behavior, such as excessive spending sprees or substance abuse

Signs and Symptoms of Compulsive Overeating

Compulsive overeating refers to the inability to stop eating, or an obsessive craving to eat more regardless of fullness. Three or more of the following symptoms may indicate a problem with food.

1. Fear of not being able to control eating, and while eating, not being able to stop
2. Isolation (fear of eating around and with others)
3. Chronic dieting on a variety of popular diet plans (holding the belief that life will be better if they can lose weight)
4. Hiding food in strange places (closets, cabinets, suitcases, under the bed) to eat at a later time
5. Vague or secretive eating patterns (self-defeating statements after food consumption)
6. Blames failure in social and professional community on weight
7. Holding the belief that food is their only friend
8. Frequently out of breath after relatively light activities
9. High blood pressure and/or cholesterol
10. Leg and joint pain
11. Weight gain (decreased mobility due to weight gain)
12. Loss of sexual desire or promiscuous relations
13. Mood swings, depression, fatigue, insomnia and poor sleeping habits

If you suspect someone you know has an eating disorder please encourage them to get help before its to late.

Recommended Reading on Eating Disorders:

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