What is an eating disorder
Eating disorders are characterized by negative eating habits that impact the way a person chooses to fuel their body. Anorexia, bulimia and binge eating present with different symptoms, but in each case a person will become obsessed with their body image and exhibit excessive behaviors.
Signs and symptoms of anorexia
- Distorted body image or a self-esteem that is heavily influenced upon body image
- Extreme thinness and an obsession with thinness
- An intense fear of gaining weight
- Obsessive exercising, calorie counting or dieting
- The use of laxatives, diuretics or enemas to decrease body weight
- Brittle nails, thinned hair and yellowed skin (caused by a lack of nutrition)
Signs and symptoms of bulimia
- Recurrent episodes of eating out of control followed by forced vomiting, fasting or use of laxatives and diuretics
- Acid reflux disorder and gastro intestinal problems
- Chronic sore throat, swollen salivary glands
- Intense fear of gaining weight
Signs and symptoms of binge eating
- An inability to control their eating or caloric intake
- Negative body image, low self-worth
- Excessive eating or constant eating
- Obsession with intake of food