Anorexia & Bulimia

Home » Anorexia & Bulimia » Signs and Symptoms

Signs and Symptoms

Psychological & Behavioral Signs
According to the American Psychiatric Association's DSM-IV, anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa have psychological features, which vary from patient to patient:

• Many people with eating disorders have major depressive disorder. They may withdraw socially, be irritable, have insomnia, and experience reduced libido. In some patients, the symptoms of major depressive disorder are physiological responses to starvation and resolve as the patient restores their body weight during treatment.
• Most people with eating disorders suffer severe anxiety. Anxiety may cause bulimics to continue eating when they are no longer hungry.
• People with anorexia nervosa are often preoccupied with food, and may collect recipes or hoard food.
• People with eating disorders are often perfectionists.
• People with anorexia nervosa are often uncomfortable eating in public, often feel ineffective, and have a strong need to control their environment.

Physical Symptoms & Medical Complications
There are various physical symptoms and medical complications associated with eating disorders, including the following:

• The most apparent physical symptom of anorexia is emaciation.
• Amenorrhea (the absence of at least 3 consecutive periods) is common in bulimics and anorexics as a result of disrupted hormonal function. Poor nutrition and low body weight are associated with a reduced estrogen level and an increased risk for premature osteoporosis (bone loss).
• Despite being malnourished, people with anorexia are often hyperactive. Lethargy may indicate depression or cardiovascular complication.
• People with anorexia nervosa often wear layers of bulky, oversized clothing, and may appear younger than they are.
• Anorexics are generally malnourished (the medical term for general malnourishment and physical wasting is cachexia, which is usually associated with chronic disease).
• A woman with anorexia usually has atrophied (shrunken) breasts.
• The skin of anorexics is often dry and has a yellow tinge.
• Lanugo (the growth of fine, downy body hair) is common in anorexics.
• Bulimics may have scars on the backs of their fingers where their front teeth scrape the skin during self-induced vomiting, tooth decay, erosion of tooth enamel, and extreme tooth sensititivity to hot and cold.
• Bradycardia (slow heart rate) is common.
• Eating disorder patients often complain of cold intolerance, dizziness, constipation, abdominal discomfort, and bloating.
• Edema (swelling) may occur, usually in the legs, as a result of an electrolyte imbalance caused by starvation or excessive vomiting.
• Other physical symptoms include hypotension (abnormally low blood pressure), potassium deficiency in the blood, and hair loss.

Differential Diagnosis
Chronic illness (e.g., cancer) can cause anxiety, depression, and weight loss. Diabetes mellitus and hyperthyroidism can cause rapid weight loss, without loss of appetite. Some gastrointestinal disorders reduce the appetite and cause weight loss due to the abdominal pain, diarrhea, and cramping that occur after eating. Gastrointestinal diseases that interfere with nutrient absorption, such as irritable bowel syndrome and Celiac disease, may inhibit the ability to gain weight. Advanced HIV disease, or AIDS, can also cause weight loss.

Psychiatric disorders that may be associated with starvation or purging include conversion disorder (loss or change in voluntary motor or sensory function that is not caused by a physical disorder), schizophrenia, and mood disorders (e.g., depression).

Indications
There are many signs that indicate a risk for an eating disorder. Parents, health care providers, teachers, and coaches should look for the following behaviors, especially in teenagers:

• having a weight that is 15% below normal that is not due to an underlying medical condition (anorexia; bulimics are usually within their normal weight range)
• eating in secret (bulimia)
• vomiting after eating (bulimia)
• using medications, laxatives, or diet pills to control weight (bulimia)
• chewing and then spitting out food (an eating disorder that resembles bulimia but is not classified as such according to the DSM-IV)
• experiencing amenorrhea (absence of menstruation) that is not due to an underlying medical condition
• weighing oneself often
• experiencing a mood change after eating or after weighing oneself
• feeling dissatisfied with body weight or shape
• feeling fat even though they are assured that they are thin
• feeling a loss of control when eating
• having a fear of gaining weight uncontrollably
• being uncomfortable eating in front of others
• being uncomfortable with comments from others regarding weight or eating

Most people occasionally experiences mood changes after eating too much and are dissatisfied with our bodies at times. This behavior is normal, unless it is persistent and part of a pattern. Anyone who is concerned about their behavior or the behavior of a friend or family member, should consult with a doctor, therapist, or other health care provider.

Anorexia & Bulimia, Signs and Symptoms reprinted with permission from womenshealthchannel.com
© 1998-2009 Healthcommunities.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Anorexia & Bulimia Resources

	Join Our Anorexia and Bulimia Forum Do you have a question, want to share medical advice, or just need to discuss your situation with someone else having a similar experience? The healthchannels forum is a resource for everyone to share and discuss their health and medical needs with others.	Advertising Disclaimer
	Living with...Share your story Do you have a personal health story that you would like to share with others? As a source of free patient education, our goal is to provide our users with trustworthy information and support from others. That's why we've started our "Living with..." sections.
	Our "Living With..." support pages are a place to share experiences about living with a certain condition, disease, disorder, or illness and for loved ones of those dealing with health-related issues. Many people, especially when newly diagnosed, find comfort in knowing that others are having a similar experience. Help others by sharing your story. View stories already submitted.
	Stay Updated Sign up for our newsletter and receive important updates on the medical conditions that are most important to you.
To quickly access health information from your website's browser, download Healthcommunities.com's healthchannels toolbar. Advertising Disclaimer