Warning signs for eating disorders

ANOREXIA NERVOSA

* Deliberate self-starvation with weight loss

* Intense, persistent fear of gaining weight

* Refusal to eat, except tiny portions

* Continuous dieting

* Denial of hunger

* Compulsive exercise

* Excessive facial/body hair because of inadequate protein in diet

* Abnormal weight loss

* Sensitivity to cold

* Absent or irregular menstruation

* Hair loss

BULIMIA NERVOSA

* Preoccupation with food

* Binge eating, usually in secret

* Vomiting after bingeing

* Abuse of laxatives, diuretics, diet pills or drugs to induce vomiting

* Compulsive exercising

* Swollen salivary glands

* Broken blood vessels in the eyes

PHYSICAL REPERCUSSIONS FROM ONE OR BOTH DISEASES

* Malnutrition

* Serious heart, kidney and liver damage

* Intestinal ulcers

* Ruptured stomach

* Tears of the esophagus

* Dehydration

* Tooth/gum erosion

PSYCHOLOGICAL REPERCUSSIONS FROM BOTH DISEASES

* Depression

* Shame and guilt

* Mood swings

* Low self-esteem

* Withdrawal

* Perfectionism

* Impaired family and social relationships

* All-or-nothing thinking

* Source: National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated

Disorders

EATING BEHAVIOR TEST

* Do you starve yourself on a regular basis?

* Do you binge and then self-induce vomiting?

* Do you feel out of control when you eat?

* Do you feel powerful and in control when you are able to abstain from

eating?

* Do you binge on food when you are experiencing negative feelings?

* Do you feel that you do not deserve to eat?

* Do you know the calorie content in the foods that you eat?

* Do you feel the only control you have in your life is in the areas of

food and weight?

* Do you believe you are fat, even though people tell you otherwise?

* Do you feel you have to be perfect in everything that you do?

* Do you use laxatives, diet pills or diuretics as a method of weight

control?

* Do you exercise to burn calories, rather than to stay fit?

* Are you secretive about your eating habits?

* Do you feel anger toward anyone that questions your eating habits?

* Do you feel guilty after you eat?

* Do you hear negative messages in your head, saying you’re fat,

worthless, ugly, etc.?

* Do you avoid social events because there will be food present?

* Do you think about food constantly?

* Do you believe that life will be perfect and you will be happy if you

lose weight?

* Do you have an intense fear of gaining weight?

* Do you feel ashamed of your eating habits?

* Do you feel that no matter what you do, you will never be good enough?

* Do you think that you may have an eating disorder?

If you answered yes to three or more of the above questions, it could be

a sign that you have an eating disorder, or the beginning of one. You may

want to consider seeing a therapist or talking with someone at an eating

disorders clinic about this matter.

Source: From a pamphlet distributed at Corona del Mar High School.