Symptoms of Eating Disorders

Eating disorders affect millions of women across the country. There are three established eating disorders: bulimia, anorexia and binge-eating. Bulimia involves binging and purging, but there are many other aspects to it. Anorexia is a disease in which the sufferer starves herself. With the binge-eating disorder, one has binges with food in excess.

Combination

• A sudden change in weight is a major symptom of an eating disorder. Someone with a binge-eating disorder often gains a lot of weight in a small amount of time. Someone with bulimia or anorexia often loses weight rapidly.

Bathroom Timing

• Someone who suddenly excuses herself after each meal offers an indication that she may be regurgitating the food--and the nutrition--gained from the meal.

Excuses, Excuses

• Sufferers are often very good at covering up an illness that may embarrass them. If you never see the person eat in front of you, it may be that she isn't eating at all. If someone continually makes an excuse about having just eaten with someone else, check with that person.

Self-Deprecation

• Look out for someone who insults herself frequently. Eating disorders are often blossomed from very low self-esteem, and the person will likely express this self-disdain verbally.

Clothing Worn

• If someone suddenly starts wearing baggy clothes, try to determine if it's an attempt to cover up sudden weight loss and divert attention away from herself. Sufferers often use baggy, loose clothing to cover up the condition.

Period

• A sufferer often ceases to have a menstrual cycle when experiencing the eating disorder.