The warning signs of an eating disorder
There is not one eating disorder and people need to know that various symptoms point to various eating disorders. The most common eating disorders that people suffer from are anorexia nervosa, bulimia and overeating. There are a lot of symptoms that are the same but there are some which are distinctly different. An interesting thing is that most people who suffer from eating disorders show no outward signs. However, these people experience strong internal feelings like intense pain, anxiety and some other troubling emotions that are also symptoms of eating disorders. People need to realize that it is highly important that they seek medical help as soon as the symptoms of eating disorders occur. The chances are greatest that the person will be cured of the disorder if he or she treats the condition as soon as it occurs. People need to understand that they will not be able to live a full life if they suffer from an eating disorder. Another important thing that people should know is that if they suffer from an eating disorder they will not cure the problem just by starting to eat healthy. They will need to undergo a professional treatment. There are some behaviors that are linked with eating disorders and are seen in most cases. Some of these behaviors are constant adherence to increasingly strict diets, habitual trips to the bathroom after eating, hoarding of big amounts of food, secret bingeing on large amounts of food, increased intake of laxatives and diet pills and excessive exercising for several hours in one day. A person who suffers from an eating disorder will go through certain emotional changes like withdrawal from friends and family, avoidance of meals, preoccupation with weight and body size and obsession over calorie intake.
How are the symptoms of eating disorders recognized?
The symptoms will depend on the disorder and on the stage that the disorder has reached. However, there are some common symptoms that are usually seen. In case of anorexia a person will starve him or herself due to the desire to maintain an unrealistic body image. Bulimia makes people consume vary large amounts of food and then get rid of excess calories by purging. A person who constantly overeats is considered to be suffering from binge-eating disorder. In many cases a person is overeating secretly.
Symptoms of anorexia nervosa
When anorexia nervosa is considered, people need to know that there are physical and emotional symptoms. Some of the most common physical symptoms are underweight, fatigue, dizziness, brittle nails, thinning hair and menstrual irregularities. Emotional signs include refusal to eat, denial of hunger and excessive exercise, among others.
Symptoms of bulimia nervosa
Some of the most common symptoms of bulimia include abnormal bowel functioning, damaged teeth and gums, sores in the throat and mouth, constant dieting, hiding food, eating in secret, self-induced vomiting and laxative use, among others.
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