Anorexia, Bulimia and Binge eating.

This time, I'm going to go into a bit more detail about the signs and symptoms of the three main eating disorders: Anorexia, Bulimia and Binge eating disorder.

Anorexia

When a person has anorexia, they lower the amount of food that they eat as well as cutting down on the types of food that they eat. Some people also over exercise. It can often be the case that people believe if they lose weight, they will feel happier, people will like them more or it will lead to more success. A person with anorexia might punish themselves for eating "bad foods" or not losing enough weight. 

Physical symptoms:

• Severe weight loss 
• Stomach cramps
• Dizziness
• Feeling cold
• Constipation
• Mood swings and irritability
• The growth of a fine layer of hair all over the body (it's called lanugo)
• Being underweight but feeling fat
• Hair loss
• Being a perfectionist and setting high standards
• Shutting oneself off from the world and being reclusive
• In girls, periods may stop or not start
• Finding it difficult to concentrate 

How a person thinks and feels is hugely affected when suffering from anorexia. People can often feel tired, depressed and worthless. Anorexia can take over a person's life and their emotions. The way a person behaves can also change and they may not even realise that they are behaving in such ways. Often, if they are aware of it, they may feel a lack of control. 

Behavioural Symptoms:

• Exercising excessively 
• Lying about eating
• Avoiding eating with others
• Being secretive
• Obsessive behaviors and rituals
• Wearing baggy clothes

Bulimia

Bulimia involves a person eating excessive amounts and then making themselves sick or starving themselves for a few days to make up for it.It is actually more common than anorexia but it is more of a hidden illness as it does not always involve any dramatic weight loss and sufferers are not always visibly thin or ill looking. 

Physical symptoms:

• Dehydration
• Sore throat
• Poor or dry skin
• Mouth Infections
• Bad Breath
• Difficulty sleeping
• Puffy cheeks
• Fainting
• Irregular periods in women
• Bowel problems
• Kidney Problems
• Stomach pains

People that suffer with bulimia often feel out of control and can become obsessed with dieting. They can feel emotional and depressed  and experience mood swings. Some examples of the behaviour of bulimics include taking laxatives and diet pills, eat large quantities of food, be sick after meals or binges and they can be secretive and lie. 

Binge eating disorder

This disorder involves constant thought about food and picking at food all day. People can feel a lack of control towards their eating habits and can eat until they are uncomfortably full. This overeating can cause feelings of depression and inadequacy which can fuel further overeating. In this case, food and eating are often a way for people to cope with difficult feelings.