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Boys, girls, men and women from all types of background and ethnic groups can suffer from eating disorders. Eating disorders are a way of coping with feelings that are making you unhappy or depressed. It may be difficult to face up to and talk about, feelings like anger, sadness, guilt, loss or fear. An eating disorder is a sign that you need help in coping with life, and sorting personal problems.
Conditions as complex as eating disorders mean that there are variations in the typical signs, and not all symptoms will apply to all people. You may feel that you have a mixture of anorexia and bulimia, or alternate between them. Some people also find they are affected by an urge to harm themselves or abuse alcohol or drugs.
Even if you don't have these symptoms if you are worried and upset by something, anything, it is important you find someone to talk to. Don't bottle it all up.
Eating Disorders do not include food allergies, selective eating issues or disorders of the digestive system. However, a G.P should be the first point of call for these issues as well as for eating disorders.
Symptoms of Anorexia
| Physical signs | Behavioural signs | Psychological signs |
| Severe weight loss | Wanting to be left alone | Intense fear of gaining weight |
| Periods stopping (Amenorrhoea) | Wearing big baggy clothes | Depressed |
| Hormonal changes in men and boys | Excessive exercising | Feeling emotional |
| Difficulty sleeping | Lying about eating meals | Obsession with dieting |
| Dizziness | Denying there is a problem | Mood swings |
| Stomach pains | Difficulty concentrating | Distorted perception of body weight and size |
| Constipation | Wanting to have control | Thinking about food all the time |
| Poor circulation & feeling cold | Feeling guilty after eating |
Symptoms of Bulimia
| Physical signs | Behavioural signs | Psychological signs |
Sore throat / swollen glands | Eating large quantities of food | Feeling ashamed, depressed and guilty |
Stomach pains | Being sick after eating | Feeling out of control |
Mouth infections | Being secretive | Mood Swings |
Irregular periods | Abusing laxatives | Feeling guilty after eating |
Dry or poor skin | ||
Difficulty sleeping | ||
Sensitive or damaged teeth |
Symptoms of Binge-eating Disorder
| Physical signs | Behavioural signs | Psychological signs |
| Weight gain | Eating large quantities of food | Feeling depressed and out of control |
| Eating inappropriate food | Mood swings | |
| Being secretive | Emotional behaviour | |
| Feeling guilty after eating |
I have some of these symptoms - what next?
If you have some of these symptoms it is important that you think about talking to somebody and getting some help. To begin with you might just want to find out more information. You can find more information on different types of eating disorders here
