EATING DISORDERS

WARNING SIGNS

Warning Signs of Anorexia Nervosa

Worried that your friend is suffering from anorexia nervosa? These are signs and symptoms of the disease.

• Distorted body image
• Intense fear of gaining weightFeelings of guilt after eating
• Being unusually thin and still dropping weight
• Cessation of a period for three consecutive cycles
• Counting every calorie and fat gram eaten
• Paleness, dizziness, or fainting spells
• Intense, dramatic mood swings
• Excessive and compulsive exercising
• Complaining of being cold  
• Hair loss or gain
• A high need for control
• Wearing loose clothing
• Exhaustion and fatigue
• Hiding food in napkins, under beds, in drawers, etc.  
• Abusing laxatives, diet pills, or diuretics
• Very poor self-esteem
• Never eating around others

If you suspect your friend is suffering from anorexia nervosa, encourage her or him to get help. Talk with your guidance counselor, a nurse, or an adult you trust. Additional resources are listed at the end of this issue section.

Warning Signs of Bulimia

Worried that your friend is suffering from bulimia? These are signs and symptoms of the disease.

• Binging and purging
• Secretive eating and/or hiding food
• Severe self-criticism
• Feelings of guilt after eating
• Visits to the bathroom after meals
• Weight fluctuations (10-20 lbs.)
• Tooth decay
• Avoiding eating in public or in front of others
• Swollen glands in neck and puffiness in cheeks
• Excessive and compulsive exercise regimens
• Constant sore throat  
• Increased promiscuous attitude or tendency
• Feeling lack of control over food
• Wearing tight clothing
• Broken blood vessels in eyes
• Poor impulse control (e.g., drugs, alcohol, spending, mood, etc.)
• Abusing laxatives, diet pills, ipecac, and/or diuretics
• Very poor self-esteem

If you suspect your friend is suffering from bulimia, encourage her or him to get help. Talk with your guidance counselor, a nurse, or an adult you trust. Additional resources are listed at the end of this issue section.

Warning Signs of Binge Eating

Worried that your friend suffers from binge eating disorder? Here are signs and symptoms of the disease.

• Recurrent episodes of binge eating, characterized by eating an excessive amount of food at one time
• A sense of lack of control over eating during the episode
• Binge eating episodes are associated with at least three of the following behaviors.
• Eating much more rapidly than normal
• Eating until feeling uncomfortably full
• Eating large amounts of food when not feeling physically hungry
• Eating alone because of embarrassment of how much one is eating
• Feeling disgusted with oneself, depressed, or very guilty after overeating
• Marked distress about the binge eating behavior
• Binge eating occurs, on average, at least two days a week for six months.
• Binge eating is not associated with the regular use of inappropriate compensatory behaviors (e.g., purging, fasting, excessive exercise).

If you suspect your friend is suffering from binge eating disorder, encourage her or him to get help. Talk with your guidance counselor, a nurse, or an adult you trust. Additional resources are listed on the next page.

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