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Brief Over-View of Signs, Symptoms and Physiological Complications

Compulsive Over-Eating Binge eating large quantities of food Constant grazing of food throughout day often secretively eating Obsessive type thought of food, meals, and the desire to lose weight Continued weight gain over time Sometimes obsessions with the scale or weighing oneself Inability to remain on a healthy meal plan without binging episodes Failed attempts to lose weight through various weight-loss diets, fasting or programs some even being extreme Marked decrease in self-esteem or self-confidence Possible mood swings Increased feelings of hopelessness or despair A feeling of not controlling eating compulsions Self-loathing may be present There is often a sense of "calm" which accompanies binging Excess weight causes many health problems some are: Strain on heart Increase in blood pressure Difficulty breathing Stress on joints particularly knees Increased risk of diabetes Fatigue and decreased energy levels Changes in metabolism Too much weight carried can cause premature death Bulimia Episodes of binge eating large quantities of food followed by purging Some abuse syrup of Ipecac for inducing vomiting Purging may be by vomiting, use and abuse of laxatives, diuretics or excessive exercise The binge-purge cycle is most often a secretive event Increasing isolation for purpose of binging and purging Obsessive thoughts of food, calories, weight, binging and purging Often periods of restricting food accompany the plan to binge and purge Decrease in the enjoyment of activities Increase in mood swings Self esteem and self confidence falls Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness Feelings of being alone with an out-of-control secret problem Intense fears of becoming fat and feeling fat Body distortion or seeing oneself as fat even if not Denial that there is a problem Generally individual is at or around normal weight Habit of chewing food and spitting it out There often is a "high" and sense of relief following purging behavior Bulimia causes many health problems some are: Possible hair loss For women loss of Menses Stomach and digestive problems Dental problems Electrolyte imbalances, low potassium Physical dependency on laxatives Possible irreversible damage to intestines Internal bleeding from purging Possible dehydration Heart complications There can always be the potential of serious complications resulting in illness and death Anorexia Denial that there is any problem Dramatic weight loss in short period Exaggerated and intense fears of becoming overweight Preoccupation with calories, food and weight Restricting food for prolonged periods Inability to stop dieting even when below normal weight Distorted body image or seeing oneself as fat even with evidence to the contrary Constant weighing of oneself throughout the day Increased isolation from family or friends Isolative behavior concerning food and exercise - may stop eating in front of others Increased prolonged periods of exercise for purpose of burning calories Increased dishonesty with self and others over eating and exercise habits Frequent arguments with others regarding eating habits Increased mood swings Self esteem and confidence levels drop Possible loss of hair from head Increased body hair as thermal insulator for body's decreasing ability to stay warm Loss of the ability to enjoy friends or activities Strong feelings of being in control of oneself There is often a "High" experienced with restricting and over exercising behavior Possible feelings of self-loathing Anorexia causes many health problems: Changes in metabolism Chronically chilly or cold For women, loss of menses Drop in blood pressure Dizziness and weakness from malnutrition Body begins feeding itself off muscle tissue and storing fat Heart complications Vitamin and Mineral deficiencies If untreated Anorexia can cause premature death from starvation.