Eating disorders are not problems with food but are usually problems in people’s lives that show themselves through eating disorders. Anorexia is something that affects thousands of people. It is an illness, where someone hates what they see in the mirror and resorts from eating in unhealthy ways to not eating at all or throwing up after meals. Anorexia is sometimes the result of a mental health problem.
Sufferers, no matter how thin always think they need to lose more weight.
It is a way of dealing with other problems by focusing on dieting constantly. People suffering from anorexia need to realize there is a problem.
Seek advice from a doctor or seek counseling. It can be beaten!! Help does not mean putting on weight just eating healthy. Starvation can result in death. It is not worth losing your life over a few pounds.
Signs and Symptoms
- Noticeable weight loss
- Becoming withdrawn
- Excessive exercise
- Fatigue
- Always being cold
- Muscle weakness
- Obsession with food, calories, recipes
- Excuses for not eating meals (i.e. ate earlier, not feeling well)
- Unusual eating habits (i.e. cutting food into tiny pieces, picking at food)
- Noticeable discomfort around food
- Complaining of being "too fat", even when thin
- Cooking for others, but not eating themselves
- Restricting food choices to only diet foods
- Guilt or shame about eating Depression, irritability, mood swings Evidence of vomiting, laxative abuse, diet pills or diuretics to control weight
- Irregular menstruation
- Amenorrhea (loss of menstruation)
- Wearing baggy clothes to hide weight loss
- Frequently checking weight on scale
- Fainting spells and dizziness
- Difficulty eating in public
- Very secretive about eating patterns
- Pale complexion (almost a pasty look)
- Headaches
- Perfectionist attitude
- Feelings of self worth determined by what is or is not eaten
- No known physical illness that would explain weight loss
Text by Kieron
