| SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF ANOREXIA: Total elimination of an entire food group. Constant consumption of appetite suppresants. This includes hard candies, chewing gum, coffee, diet sodas, or cigarettes - each can suppress the appetite. Fears and beliefs about food. For example, the idea of eating a greasy hamburger could be "nightmarish". Preoccupation with the appearance of the body. Hours of searching for outfits which don't "make" one look "fat". Complusive exercising, even during sickness, in all kinds of weather, and/or at any time of day or night. Avoidance of plans involving meals or last minute cancellation of lunch or dinner dates. Intense fear of becoming obese, which does not diminish as weight loss progresses. Disturbance of body image, claiming to "feel fat" when thin. Significant weight loss in a short period of time. Always having an excuse for not eating - "already ate" or "will eat later". Odd food rituals, such as cutting food into tiny pieces, preparing food for others but not eating it themself, or chewing each bite of food a certain number of times. Dressing in layers to hide weight loss. Complains of feeling cold a lot. Gets dizzy easily and having fainting spells. Paleness. Weakness. Loss of menstruation in girls/women. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF BULIMIA: Lengthy visits to bathroom after meals. Intense mood swings. Purchases large amounts of food which disappear suddenly. Bingeing on a large amount of food. Unusual swelling around the jaw. Secretive eating, evidenced by missing food. Preoccupation with and the constant talk about weight and/or food. Avoiding restaurants or social events where food is present. Self-disparagement when too much has been eaten. Evidence of vomiting (e.g., messy bathrooms) laxative abuse, or fasting. The use of diet pills. Overexercising. Fear of being fat, regardless of current weight. Swollen glands, puffy cheeks, broken blood vessels under eyes. Complains of a sore throat frequently. Complains of fatigue/muscle aches. Unexplained tooth decay. Frequent weight fluctuations, often within a 10-15 pound range. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF BINGE EATING : Frequent eating, whether as secretive binges or constant snacking. Restriction of activities because of embarrasment about weight. Going from one diet to the next. Eating little in public while maintaining a high weight. Weight-related hypertention or fatigue. Feelings about self based on weight and control of eating. Fantasizing about being a better person when thin. Feeling tormented by eating habits. Social and professional failures attributed to weight. Weight is the focus of life. Depression. History of diet failures. |
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