Common Eating Disorders

Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia is characterized by excessive weight loss through restrictive eating. For many people, this means restricting food intake until he/she eats very little, if at all.  Anorexia may be life threatening.

Signs and Symptoms loss of a significant amount of weight continuing to diet although thin feeling fat, even after losing weight Intense fear of weight gain preoccupation with food, calories, fat contents and nutrition lying about food preferring to diet in isolation cooking for others exercising compulsively depression, anxiety

Key Links Eating Disorders (National Institute of Mental Health) National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD) National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) Binge Eating Disorder

Physical Consequences

• shrunken organs
• bone mineral loss, which can lead to osteoporosis
• low body temperature
• low blood pressure
• slowed metabolism and reflexes
• Irregular heartbeat, which can lead to cardiac arrest
• hair loss
• cold hands and feet
• fainting spells
• weakness, exhaustion
• periods of hyperactivity
• constipation
• growth of fine body hair on arms, legs, and other body parts
• heart tremors
• dry, brittle skin
• shortness of breath
• fertility concerns
• loss of monthly menstrual periods

Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia is characterized by a binging and purging cycle. People who are bulimic consume large amounts of calories (5,000-6,000) in a short period of time (1-2 hours). The binge is followed by purging in which the person vomits or uses laxatives to rid his/her body of the food he/she just consumed.

Signs and Symptoms

• binging, or eating uncontrollably
• purging by strict dieting, fasting, vigorous exercise, vomiting or abusing laxatives or diuretics in an attempt to lose weight
• using the bathroom frequently after meals
• preoccupation with body weight
• depression
• mood swings
• feeling out of control

Physical Consequences

• dehydration
• damage to bowels, liver and kidney
• electrolyte imbalance, which leads to irregular heartbeat, and in some cases, cardiac arrest
• swollen glands in neck and face
• heartburn
• bloating
• irregular periods
• dental problems
• constipation
• indigestion
• sore throat
• vomiting blood
• weakness, exhaustion
• bloodshot eyes

Binge Eating

Binge eating is similar to bulimia in that large amounts of calories are consumed. However, there is no purge cycle in this disorder. A person who is a binge eater often eats when not physically hungry, at night or in secret, is obsessed with food, and often feels exceedingly guilty and shameful.

Signs and Symptoms

• episodes of binge eating
• frequent dieting
• unable to stop eating voluntarily
• awareness that eating patterns are abnormal
• weight fluctuations
• depressed mood
• feeling ashamed
• antisocial behavior
• obesity

Physical Consequences

• high blood pressure
• high cholesterol
• gall bladder disease
• diabetes
• heart disease
• certain types of cancer