warning.signs.of.eating.disorders

Think that perhaps you or someone you know might be afflicted with anorexia or bulimia? Then you've come to the right place. Look over this list of warning signs, and if you match the majority of them, there is a good chance that you have an eating disorder. Please understand, however, that just because you don't match all or even most of the signs does NOT mean that you do not have a problem. Often times people fall under the category of EDNOS: Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified. Click HERE for more info. on that.

Also realize that the signs below are NOT meant to be used as a diagnoses. The lists below should be used to see if you need to see a doctor to get a full examination or diagnoses.

anorexia

medical

1. There is either gradual or abrupt weight loss that can't be explained by any other condition.
2. Insomnia or excessive sleeping.
3. You have irregular menstrual periods or none at all (amenorrhea).
4. Pale complexion.
5. Discolored skin and nails (the nails are also brittle).
6. Dull eyes
7. Hair falls out and is brittle.
8. Frequently bruise easily or are prone to injuries.
9. Body does not repair itself (for instance, you bruise something or injure yourself and it takes a month or longer to heal).
10. You frequently become dizzy if you stand up too fast, or you have fainting spells.
11. Frequently tired and feel run down.

psychological
1. You are described as a "perfectionist" - nothing is ever good enough, including weight loss.
2. You feel that you have to please everyone and never say "no", or else no one will like you.
3. Black and white thinking (for instance, people with this thinking often say to themselves, "I eat nothing today, or everything and then purge.").
4. Low self-esteem and worth.
5. You feel worthless after eating a certain amount of calories or after gaining weight.
6. You experience depression, mood swings, and general irritability - especially around food.
7. You feel that your body is the only thing that you can control.
8. You distrust those around you in what they think (for instance, you find that others tell You that you have lost weight and/or look too skinny, but you believe they are only lying all the time).
9. The scale determines whether today is "good" or "bad".

behavioral
1. You isolate yourself more and more while concentrating more and more on calories, weight, food, etc.
2. You obsess or show a "great interest" in reading recipes, cooking shows, cooking for others, memorizing the calorie content in food, etc.
3. You wear baggy clothes because you are always cold or you do so to mask weight loss.
4. You purposely restrict your caloric intake - to the point that you are hungry majority of your waking hours, although you tell others on the "outside" otherwise.
5. You cut food in shapes and/or group it in numbers when trying to eat. Others say you are "playing" with your food.
6. You can only eat at certain times in the day or in a certain way (for instance, you MUST only eat out of a red bowl and only use a certain spoon).
7. You avoid social gatherings and outings where you know food is involved.
8. You abuse various pills.
9. You exercise compulsively.
10. You hoard food or sneak it for no apparent reason.
11. You frequently check your weight on a scale.
12. You sift through books and web pages on eating disorders looking for tips and tricks to further weight loss.