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Society has become increasingly obsessed with weight and physical appearance, and many people have tried some kind of diet at one time or another. But there’s a big difference between “normal” dieting and eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia.
A person with anorexia is significantly underweight but still worries about being or becoming fat. In contrast, a person with bulimia is often a normal weight for their age and height, so those closest to them may not realize that anything is wrong.
Eating disorders can cause serious, and potentially fatal, medical problems that affect the heart, brain, and other body organs. It is important to know that men can have these disorders too, although they are much more common in women.
Signs and Symptoms of Eating Disorders
- Weighing 15% or more below normal body weight
- Weight loss, sometimes by means of self-induced vomiting, abuse of laxatives or diuretics, or excessive exercise
- Intense fear of gaining weight
- Seeing oneself as overweight no matter how underweight
- Anxious or ritualistic behavior at mealtimes
- Menstrual changes or the absence of menstruation in women
- Repeatedly eating larger than normal amounts of food in a short period of time and feeling unable to control this behavior (binging)
- Preventing weight gain after a binge by means of self-induced vomiting, abuse of laxatives or enemas (purging), fasting or excessive exercise
- Unhealthy focus on body shape and weight
- Discolored teeth and gums
Connect to more information on diagnosing and treating eating disorders through our resources and links section.
Learn more about other common emotional disorders and their warning signs:
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