Eating Disorder Symptoms - Identifying The Signs Of A Person In Trouble

Eating disorder symptoms might be very obvious to people who are familiar with the condition, while others might not even notice that someone dear to them is suffering from it until it is too late. There are also those who might want to deny to themselves that it is happening in their family and might ignore the symptoms, hoping that it will just go away or the person involve will just get better on his or her own.

Identifying the signs of eating disorders early on can make a lot of difference towards curing the condition. The earlier the symptoms are detected, the earlier help can be had and the greater the chance of recovery. Statistics show that this problem is not a minor one. In the United States alone, an estimated 10 percent of the population suffers from eating disorders and almost 95 percent of those affected are female.

Diagnosis for eating disorders such as bulimia and anorexia is often done with the use of a questionnaire focusing on eating and weight patterns. But before diagnosis is done by the experts, someone nearer to the patient should be able to see the warning signs and seek professional help. Family members and friends should be able to identify the signs and help the patient get better.

Some of the more common symptoms of anorexia and bulimia are drastic or abnormal loss of weight. Being too concerned about the food to be eaten or obsessive counting of calories, and even weighing food, are also telltale signs. Lack of appetite, playing with food or cutting it in too small pieces are also signals that someone's suffering from this disorder.

For bulimics, constant throwing up (mostly induced) is a major symptom. Compulsive exercising, up to a point that it becomes unhealthy, is also a symptom of bulimia. People who suffer from eating disorders are mostly withdrawn and refuse to socialize, particularly if events involve a buffet or any kind of dining. Anorexics and bulimics also have a distorted perception about their bodies, thinking that they are too fat even when they have become too thin. Unhealthy skin, lanky hair, dizziness and fainting are also signs, which are, of course, caused by not eating right. The lack of nutrition can also lead to depression and lethargy or lack of energy. Inflicting harm on one's self, like cutting the skin or burning one's self can also be caused by eating disorders. Unhealthy physical condition and unstable mental state are the effects of eating disorders, particularly if the condition is already at the developed stage.

Eating disorder symptoms manifest themselves physically and psychologically. Families and friends of sufferers can do something to stop it from escalating to a level wherein the patient is already physically and psychologically damaged. Learning to identify the signs early on is the first step.

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