The Harold C. Schott Foundation Eating Disorders Program
Eating Disorders Warning Signs
Anorexia Nervosa
- Deliberate self starvation with weight loss
Refusal to eat or highly restrictive eating
Continuous dieting
- Compulsive rituals, strange eating habits, dividing food into “good” and “bad” categories
Intense persistent fear of gaining weight
Weighs 85% or less than what is expected for age and height
Is terrified of becoming fat even though she/he is underweight
- Denies the dangers of low weight
- Reports feeling fat, even when very thin
- Compulsively exercises
- Exhibits anxiety,
depression, irritability, withdrawal
Bulimia Nervosa
- Binge eating, usually secretively
- May buy, steal or sneak large quantities of “binge foods”
- Feels out of control while binging
- Vomits after binging
- Abuses laxatives, diuretics or diet pills
- Compulsively exercises
- Diets or fasts when not binging
- Believes self-worth requires being thin
- May abuse alcohol or drugs or may shoplift or be promiscuous
- Weight may be at or near normal unless anorexia is also present
- May have swollen salivary glands
- Broken blood vessels in the eyes from purging
Binge Eating Disorder (compulsive over-eating)
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Binge eats frequently and repeatedly
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Feels unable to control eating during binges
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May eat rapidly and secretly, or may snack and nibble all day long
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Feels ashamed of binge eating
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There may be sporadic fasts or repetitive dieting
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Has a history of failed diets
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May eat for emotional reasons or for comfort
- Tends to be depressed and obese
Binge eats frequently and repeatedly
Feels unable to control eating during binges
May eat rapidly and secretly, or may snack and nibble all day long
Feels ashamed of binge eating
There may be sporadic fasts or repetitive dieting
Has a history of failed diets
May eat for emotional reasons or for comfort
Tends to be depressed and obese