Anorexia nervosa and bulimia involves serious, potentially life threatening illnesses. People with these disorders have a preoccupation with food and an irrational fear of being fat. Anorexia is self-starvation while bulimia involves cycles of bingeing (consuming large quantities of food) and purging (self-inducing vomiting or abusing laxatives). Behavior may also include excessive exercise.

Emotional and Psychological Warning Signs of Eating Disorders

• Preoccupation with body appearance or weight
• Moodiness, irritability
• Reduced concentration, memory, and thinking ability
• Anxiety, depression, or suicidal thoughts
• Anxiety around meal times
• Guilt or self-dislike

Behavioral Warning Signs of Eating Disorders

• Dieting or making frequent excuses not to eat
• Overeating
• Obsessive rituals such as drinking only out of a certain cup, or eating certain foods on certain days
• Wearing baggy clothes, or a change in clothing style
• Hoarding food
• Trips to the bathroom after meals

Social Warning Signs of Eating Disorders

• Social withdrawal or isolation
• Avoidance of social situations involving food
• Decreased interest in hobbies

Physical Warning Signs of Eating Disorders

• Weight loss or rapid fluctuation in weight
• Changes in hair, skin, and nails (dry and brittle); dehydration
• Edema (retention of body fluid, giving a ”puffy” appearance)
• Loss or irregularity of menstrual periods (females)
• Reduced metabolic rate (can lead to slow heart rate, low blood pressure, reduced
• Body temperature, and bluish-colored extremities); sensitivity to the cold
• Hypoglycemia (low blood glucose levels), which can cause confusion, illogical thinking, coma, shakiness, and irritability
• Faintness, dizziness, or fatigue
• Reduced concentration, memory, and thinking ability
• Bowel problems such as constipation, diarrhea, or cramps
• Sore throat, indigestion, and heartburn