Symptoms vary depending on the type of eating disorder (anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating), however, they are all characterized by starting out with eating smaller or larger amounts of food and reaching a point where their urge to eat more or less spirals out of out of control.

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Anorexia Nervosa

Short Term

• low body weight

• distort perception of shape or weight of body

• intense fear of gaining weight

• limit calorie intake/ use other methods to lose weight (excessive exercise, vomiting after eating, using laxatives or diet aids)

• weigh themselves constantly

• portion food carefully and eat small quantities of only certain foods

• lack of menstruation among girls and women

Long Term

• thinning of bones (osteopenia or osteoporosis

• brittle hair and nails

• dry/ yellow skin

• growth of fine hair all over the body (lanugo)

• severe constipation

• low blood pressure/ slow breathing and pulse

• damage to the heart and brain

• organ failure

• infertility

• lethargic feeling all the time

• drop in internal body temperature

   

Bulimia Nervosa

Short Term

• episodes of binging and purging (typically eat a large amount of food in a short time and then rid yourself of the calories)

• feel a lack of control over your eating

• restrict eating during the day

• feel guilt, shame, and intense fear of weight gain

• may resort to excessive exercise, force vomiting, or use of laxatives

• may judge yourself severely and harshly

Long Term

• chronic inflammation and sore throat

• swollen salivary glands in neck and jaw area

• increasingly sensitive and decaying teeth from exposure to stomach acid

• acid reflux disorder/ gastrointestinal problems

• severe dehydration from purging of fluids

• electrolyte imbalance (too low or high levels of minerals which can lead to a heart attack

   

Binge-Eating Disorder

• regularly eat too much food

• feel a lack of control over your eating

• may eat quickly or more food than intended

• may eat when not hungry

• may continue to eat after being full

• may feel guilty, disgusted, or ashamed after eating, but you don’t try to compensate for your eating

Long Term

• high risk for developing cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure