New Signs and Symptoms of Eating Disorders Explained Tips

Any serious disturbance to your everyday dies can lead to an eating disorder. Eating either very small amounts of food or gorging in larger amounts, both are spiraled out of control. You will come across various kinds eating disorder but they all have one thing in common and that is a lurking psychological problem beneath. Concern about body weight or severe distress can also trigger an eating disorder. Personality disorder, depression, low self-worth or substance misuse are also linked with eating disorders.

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Besides exhibiting these abnormal food habits, there are some other signs and symptoms of eating disorders that may vary largely depending on the nature of the disorder. For a more conclusive and final diagnosis, one needs to differentiate between the signs and symptoms of the eating disorder.

Different Eating Disorders

Commonly, the eating disorders are divided into three kinds

• Anorexia nervosa
• Bulimia nervosa.
• Eating Disorders Not Otherwise Specified – these compulsive overeating, binge – eating disorder and other rare types of eating disorders.

Let us now tale a look at signs and symptoms of the eating disorders.

Anorexia Nervosa

People suffering form this disorder will exhibit the following symptoms

• Obsession about the quantity of food intake
• Showing an excessive fear of gaining weight.
• Tendency for measuring portions of food during a meal that are unusually small
• Eating only eat certain types of food.
• Being extremely thin and yet convinced that they are overweight
• Wearing loose and baggy clothes
• Hiding heavy objects in their clothes when being weighed
• Reduced ability to concentrate and abnormal fatigue
• Amenorrhea or no periods for more than 3 months.
• A change in the sleeping patterns and mood swings
• Altered bowel movements, generally constipation
• Dental caries due to frequent vomiting

Some other signs and symptoms of the eating disorder are anemia, low blood pressure, Hormonal imbalance, extreme sensitivity to cold, heart rate abnormalities etc.

Bulimia Nervosa

Let us now take a look at signs and symptoms of the eating disorder, Bulimia Nervosa.

• Binging followed by severe dieting.
• Lethargy  and feeling tired all the time
• Constipation
• Feeling of fullness.
• Abdominal pain.
• Irregular periods.
• Swelling of the hands and feet.
• Dental caries and erosion of dental enamel.
• Calluses on the back of the hands
• Electrolyte imbalance
• Abnormal ECG
• Extreme dehydration.

Binge – Eating Disorder and Compulsive Overeating

People with this eating disorder are usually obese although a few compulsive over-eaters may be able to keep a normal body weight. Although the person suffers from feelings of guilt but there are no attempts to induce vomiting or using laxatives. The person usually likes to eat alone and depends greatly on food for emotional support. You will also find him hiding food for later consumption. He will suffer from fatigue and insomnia.
Signs and symptoms of the eating disorder need to be recognized early and diagnosed properly. The right medical treatment and psychotherapy need to start immediately before the condition worsens. Instant intrusion will control or even undo some of the effects of eating disorders. Support and supervision is essential during the recovery period, so as to reduce the chances of any serious complications from developing.
Fortunately, eating disorders are curable medical illnesses. But if the person does not get treatment at the right time, the signs and symptoms of the eating disorder can turn life-threatening. Individual, group, and family psychotherapy are effective to cure many eating disorders. The treatment plans often are customized as per the individual needs and may medical care, nutritional counseling and monitoring.