Symptoms of Eating Disorders
An eating disorder is a condition that many women and men suffer from, and there are many symptoms of eating disorders that can help friends and loved ones detect a problem. An eating disorder ranges from the refusal to eat adequate meals, to binging and purging, to overeating. It is also very important to understand that many people who have these symptoms may not seem underweight or appear to be in danger. Knowing the many symptoms of eating disorders can help detect a problem early, so hopefully help can be had for the affected individual.
Anorexia and bulimia, a binge-eating disorder, are the two most common eating disorders that people suffer from. The most noticeable symptom would be a dramatic weight loss that happens within a short period of time. This weight loss will be unexplained, or the person will simply say they are dieting. They may wear layers of clothing, or very baggy clothes, to hide their weight loss, especially after it becomes a concern to family and friends. They will garner an obsession with their weight, and continuously complain about their weight problems and how fat they are, no matter how thin they are in reality. They will have an obsession for counting calories and fat content in everything that they eat or drink, even things like chewing gum and toothpaste.
Many people who suffer from an eating disorder will have unusual food rituals, such as cutting up the food they do eat into the tiniest pieces possible, avoiding food touching the lips, and other issues. Other symptoms of eating disorders include continuous exercise to the point of exhaustion. A person suffering from an eating disorder may exercise for hours at a time, many times a day. They may also begin to hide their exercises after those around them begin to question them about the intensity they desire.
The use of diet pills and laxatives is another symptom of anorexia and bulimia, as is bingeing and purging up the food that they eat. While some people simply starve themselves and severely restrict everything they eat or drink, others eat large amounts of food at a time. They then purge their body of the meal by throwing up or using laxatives. Frequent trips to the restroom, especially after every meal, can be a sign of an eating disorder. These symptoms are just a few of the many symptoms of eating disorders. If you or a loved one fits these eating disorder symptoms, it may be time to look into help for you or the individual.