What is an eating disorder?
Anorexia
- Symptoms:
- Refusal to maintain normal body weight for height and age
- Fear of weight gain and losing control
- A distorted body image
- Loss of menstrual cycle
- Restrictive eating, with or without bingeing/purging
- Extreme concern with body weight and shape
Bulimia
- Symptoms:
- Repeated episodes of bingeing and purging
- Feeling out of control
- Frequent dieting
- Extreme concern with body weight and shape
Binge Eating Disorder
- Symptoms:
- Episodes of binge eating without purging
- Feeling out of control
- Feelings of guilt, disgust, or depression following a binge
What are the warning signs that someone may have an eating disorder?
- Increased or decreased weight gain
- Change in eating habits
- Dieting
- Excessive exercise
- Use of laxatives
- Preoccupation about body image
- Isolation, depression, irritability