· #1 Posted December 31, 2006 SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS ANOREXIA NERVOSA: • Abrasions on back of hands/knuckles • Becomes cold easily; especially the extremities • Broken blood vessels in eyes or face • Checking weight on scale frequently/multiple times each day • Complains of being "too fat" despite being very thin • Cooking for others, but not eating themselves • Depression, irritability and mood swings • Difficulty concentrating • Difficulty eating in public or refusal to eat in public • Dizziness • Evidence of vomiting, laxative abuse, diet pills or diuretics to control weight • Excessive exercise • Exercising even when injured or ill • Fainting • Fatigue, weakness • Feelings of self worth determined by what is or is not eaten as well as by the number on the scale • Frequent, multiple excuses for not eating meals (i.e. ate earlier, not feeling well) • Guilt, shame or feeling weak about eating • Isolating from friends, family and social activities • Highly self-critical • Keeping meticulous track of calories consumed (e.g. including things like antacids, cough drops and low calorie sweetener. Lists of calories consumed can be found on gum wrappers, in notebooks etc.) • Labels foods as “good” and “bad” • Low self-esteem • Muscle weakness and cramping, especially in the legs • Noticeable discomfort around food • Noticeable weight loss which is not caused by a known physical illness • Obsession with food, calories, recipes • Pale complexion, skin may have a ‘dirty’ look • Perfectionistic attitude • Problems with short term memory (forgetful) • Restricting food choices to low calorie or diet foods • Secretive about eating patterns • Swollen salivary glands “puffy cheeks” • Takes exquisite care of others • Unusual eating habits (i.e. cutting food into tiny pieces, picking at food, unusual food combinations) • Wearing baggy clothes to hide weight loss • Yellow-orange skin BULIMIA NERVOSA: • Abrasions on back of hands and knuckles • Avoidance of restaurants, planned meals or social events • Binge eating • Broken blood vessels (in eyes and face) • Chewing and spitting food • Dental decay and/or discoloration • Difficulty with short term memory • Difficulty concentrating • Enlarged salivary or parotid glands (underside of the jaw, near the ears- sometimes referred to as chipmunk cheeks) • Fasting (usually after a binge) • Fatigue, lethargy • Fear of not being able to stop eating when full • Frequently complains of sore throat and or stomach pain • Harsh, excessive exercise regimes (works out despite physical injury and illness) • Ipecac abuse • Labels food as “good” and “bad” • Laxative, diet pill or diuretic abuse • Mood swings, irritability, depression • Muscle weakness, muscle cramping • Need for approval from others • Secretive eating (food missing) • Self-worth determined by weight • Self-deprecating thoughts following eating • Severe self-criticism • Substance abuse • Visits bathroom after eating • Vomiting (vomit may be found in trash bags, bowls etc.) • Weight fluctuations (often 10-15 lbs. range) BINGE EATING DISORDER/COMPULSIVE OVEREATING: • Attempting many types of diets • Attributing social and professional failures to high weight • Believing s/he will be a better person once thin • Binge eating • Depression • Eating little in public, while maintaining a high weight • Fear of not being able to stop eating when full • Feeling tormented by eating habits • Feelings about self based on weight • Isolating from friends, family, social activities and obligations • Self-deprecating thoughts following binges • Shame and guilt following bingeing, also present continuously to some degree regarding weight • Sleep deprivation • Weight is focal point of life • Withdrawing from activities due to embarrassment about weight Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
