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Symptoms of Eating Disorders

No single symptom of anorexia nervosa or bulimia will accurately diagnose an eating disorder case 100% of the time. However, there is one thing all eating disorders patients have in common: they are endangering their own physical well being, and should seek professional help immediately.

If you are worried that you or someone close to you has an eating disorder, here are symptoms of anorexia and bulimia to look out for.

Anorexia Nervosa

PHYSICAL CHANGES

  • Experiences rapid and dramatic weight loss
    • Has dry and thinning hair
    • Develops fine hairs, known as lanugo, growing from the face, arms, chest, and other parts of the body
  • Damage to teeth from frequent purging
    • Cavities
    • Tooth enamel erosion
    • Gum disease
    • Teeth sensitive to hot and cold foods
  • Scarred knuckles from fingers scraping up against teeth when inducing vomiting (known as "Russell's Sign")
  • Missed menstrual periods without pregnancy (women only)

BEHAVIORAL CHANGES

  • Displays an irrational fear of gaining weight
    • Dieting despite already being thin, or even dangerously underweight
    • Insists that she is overweight despite being told by others that she is thin
    • Avoids eating around others
  • Wears loose and baggy clothing to hide weight loss
    • Shivers frequently and/or complains of being cold due to decreased body fat
    • Frequently becomes dizzy due to lack of nutrients
  • Becomes obsessed with food
    • Frequently weighs and checking the calorie and fat contents of everything they eat
    • Develops an unusual interest in cooking; may cook extravagant meals for others but not eat it themselves
  • Engaging in frequent, strenuous exercise; over-exercising
  • Hides or throws away food
    • Cuts food into tiny pieces and carefully arranges it on the plate instead of eating
  • Brags to friends about eating very little food
  • Shows signs of depression
    • Loss of interest in formerly enjoyed hobbies/activities
    • Unusually moody or irritable
    • Frequently points out parts of her body she doesn't like
  • Purges using laxatives, diet pills, ipecac syrup, or water pills
    • Runs to the bathroom after meals in order to vomit and quickly get rid of the food

Bulimia Nervosa

PHYSICAL CHANGES

  • Dehydration
  • Missed menstrual periods without pregnancy (women only)
  • Lacerations to the lining of the throat and/or mouth caused by habitual insertion of fingers or other objects to purge
    • Scarred knuckles from fingers scraping up against teeth (Russell's Sign)
    • Swollen fingers
    • Tooth decay
    • Frequent gastric reflux after eating
  • Swollen cheeks (enlarged salivary glands) resulting from hormone changes
    • Constant weight fluctuations
    • Irregular heartbeat
  • Food stored in the stomach for extended periods of time (known as "gastroparesis")
    • Constipation

BEHAVIORAL CHANGES

  • Goes through at least two binge eating episodes a week
    • Eats until feeling discomfort or pain
  • Frequent vomiting/ restroom visits after eating
  • Shows signs of depression
    • Loss of interest in formerly enjoyed hobbies/activities
    • Unusually moody or irritable
  • Frequently points out parts of her body she doesn't like
  • Engaging in frequent, strenuous exercise; over-exercising
  • Uses diuretics or laxatives to purge after meals
  • Shows signs of anxiety
  • Preoccupied with body shape and weight
    • May appear to be average weight or even slightly overweight