Whether the diagnosis is anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder or overweight, the common thread in all of these is the sense of lack of control over food or body weight. Food, eating and weight begin to take much more of the individuals time and energy, leaving little time or energy for other pursuits. In addition, the isolation of all of these tends to make reaching out to others difficult. Many persons with eating disorders report with some surprise that friends and family have not noticed the disturbed eating patterns, weight fluctuations or eating disordered rituals. Treatment is necessary in order to allow for other aspects of life to be addressed--whether they are a desire to do other things, or just to be free of the eating disorder.
Some Signs and Symptoms of Eating Disorders:
Anorexia Nervosa
Weight below usual or expected weight, loss of menstruation, frequent weighing, fear of weight gain, fear of fats and proteins in the diet, avoidance of eating situations, isolation from friends and family, arguing about food intake, excessive exercise, dressing in layers to hide weight loss, thinning of hair, frequent illness, fainting, complaints of being cold all the time, picking at food and moving it around on the plate, fine hair growth all over body--including face
Bulimia Nervosa
Weight at or above usual, swollen glands under jaw from vomiting, eating a large amount of food in a discrete period of time, hiding food, eating alone or bringing foods to bedroom, not eating with family, long periods of time in bathroom-especially after a meal, missed time from school or work after binges/purges, dental problems
Binge Eating
Weight gain well beyond usual weight, purchase and eating of large amounts of food, late night eating, eating alone, avoiding social situations around food
Nutritional Treatment for Anorexia, Bulimia
and Compulsive Overeating
How Nutritional Treatment Helps
Suggestions for those with Anorexia
Suggestions for those with Bulimia
Suggestions for those with Compulsive
Eating
How do I know if I have an eating disorder?
What can I expect from therapy?
