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- Eating Disorders
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I feel
Anorexia |
Bulimia |
Not Otherwise Specified
Like I should be destroyed utterly overwhelmed with life it is a monster that once allowed in, fights to maintain control, no ability to look toward the future i spent my time either crying or listening to reasons why I shouldn’t exist it was an out of body experience like I turned into a ravenous animal with absolutely no control and ate everything I saw, only to purge it all out I was constantly finding new methods of self torture
Recognize the symptoms
Typical Symptoms Across Disorders*
* Disclaimer
Not all people with eating disorders will experience all of the symptoms described here. This website is not a substitute for expert professional care. If you have or suspect you may have an eating disorder, please consult your health care provider.
CloseEnlarged Glands in the Mouth and Neck
Swelling and soreness in the glands in the mouth and neck. This is usually caused by throwing up repeatedly.
Bulimia Nervosa CloseAcid Reflux (Heartburn)
Acid from the stomach goes back up into the esophagus (the tube that brings food from the mouth to the stomach when swallowing). This is also called "heartburn" because it feels like burning in the chest. Heartburn can be caused by repeated vomiting. Stomach acid can damage the lining of the esophagus and can even cause it to tear. This can be very painful and very dangerous.
Bulimia Nervosa CloseTooth Pain
Teeth can start to look clear or yellow from the breakdown of tooth enamel. This is caused by excessive vomiting. The acid from the vomit is what wears down the teeth. This can make teeth very sensitive to hot or cold food, and can be very painful. Bad eating habits and poor nutrition can also lead to a lot of cavities.
Anorexia Nervosa | Bulimia Nervosa CloseDehydration
Feeling dizzy, weak or nauseous because of not drinking enough liquids or abusing laxatives or diuretics. Can lead to constipation, muscle cramps, fainting and abnormal heartbeat.
Anorexia Nervosa | Bulimia Nervosa CloseRed Eyes
The strain of excessive vomiting can make blood vessels in the eyes burst. This makes eyes look red and bloodshot.
Bulimia Nervosa CloseSwollen Cheeks
Swollen glands in the mouth and neck can be caused by excessive vomiting. This can lead to swollen cheeks or jaws.
Bulimia Nervosa CloseRussell's Sign
Scars or calluses on the knuckles from putting fingers down the throat and vomiting. Can also be seen as small cuts and calluses across fingers.
Bulimia Nervosa CloseOverweight
Bingeing on foods that are high in fat, sugar and/or salt can cause weight gain. Being overweight or obese increases the risk of Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, digestive problems, and heart problems.
Binge Eating CloseHigh Blood Pressure and/or Cholesterol
Can be caused by having a diet that is very high in sugar, fat and/or salt. Increases the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes or suffering from a heart attack or stroke.
Binge Eating CloseHair Loss/Thinning
Hair becomes thin or falls out in clumps. This can be caused by poor nutrition, which leads to a lack of vitamins and minerals that are important for keeping hair strong and healthy.
Anorexia Nervosa | Bulimia Nervosa CloseBreathlessness
Having a hard time breathing. The body becomes weak when it does not get enough nutrition, and it can become hard to do simple things. Even walking down the street or climbing a flight of stairs can make it hard to breathe.
Anorexia Nervosa | Bulimia Nervosa CloseHeadaches and Dizziness
Usually caused by not getting enough liquids or nutrients in the body due to poor nutrition. Abusing laxatives or diuretics can also cause the body to lose fluids and nutrients.
Anorexia Nervosa | Bulimia Nervosa CloseWeakness and Fatigue
Muscles become weak because of poor nutrition. Not getting enough nutrients can also lead to feeling very tired and having low energy.
Anorexia Nervosa CloseRashes and Pimples
A lack of minerals and vitamins can cause dry, unhealthy skin. Thinning hair, brittle nails and pimples can also be a result of not eating properly.
Anorexia Nervosa | Bulimia Nervosa CloseJoint Pain
Pain in the knees and other joints can be caused by bones not getting enough vitamins and minerals. It can also be caused by swelling due to fluid buildup. In the case of binge eating, joints may hurt from the stress of physical body weight.
Anorexia Nervosa | Binge Eating CloseGastrointestinal problems
Problems caused by poor eating habits include constipation, diahrrea, bloating, cramping and stomach pain. Using too many laxatives can lead to a buildup of fluid in the intestine called edema. The edema can lead to ulcers (or sores) in the intestine, which can be very painful.
Anorexia Nervosa | Bulimia Nervosa CloseDelayed Gastric Emptying
If the stomach has not been used in a while (because of dieting or fasting), it may not be able to empty properly into the intestine. This can be painful. It can also lead to feeling very full after eating only a small amount of food. Other side effects include bloating, nausea and vomiting.
Anorexia Nervosa CloseConstipation
Not being able to have a bowel movement. This can be caused by dehydration (not drinking enough liquids) or not having enough fibre in the diet. Can be very painful and can make a person feel bloated and uncomfortable.
Anorexia Nervosa | Bulimia Nervosa CloseIrregular Menstrual Periods
Being underweight can cause irregular menstrual periods or even "amenorrhea," which is a woman stops having her period. For women who are not pregnant, not having a period for 6 months is usually a sign of amenorrhea.
Anorexia Nervosa CloseMood swings, Depression, Irritability
Lots of changes in mood and personality. Often feeling sad, lonely, and easily annoyed or upset.
Anorexia Nervosa | Binge Eating | Bulimia Nervosa CloseLow Body Temperature
Body temperature drops because there is not enough body fat to keep it warm. Body temperature might also go down because the body is trying to save energy.
Anorexia Nervosa CloseLow Body Weight
Dangerously underweight. Losing a large amount of weight and looking noticeably thin, usually from eating very little or not at all.
Anorexia Nervosa CloseBone Density Loss
Bones can get thin and weak if they don't get the right vitamins and minerals. This is also known as osteoporosis.
Anorexia Nervosa | Bulimia Nervosa CloseLanugo
A soft, fine kind of hair that grows on the face and body. It is the body's way of keeping warm when there isn't enough body fat to keep it insulated.
Anorexia Nervosa CloseAbnormal Heartbeat or Heart Attack
Heartbeat is irregular or heart stops working. An uneven heartbeat can happen when there is an imbalance in electrolytes (like sodium, potassium or magnesium) in the body. These electrolytes are needed for the heart muscle to work properly.
Anorexia Nervosa | Bulimia Nervosa CloseSlowed Heart Rate
A very slow heart rate can be caused by poor nutrition or starvation. This is also known as bradycardia. A slow heart rate also leads to slow breathing and a slow pulse.
Anorexia Nervosa | Bulimia Nervosa CloseKidney Failure
Not having the right amount of electrolytes (like sodium, potassium or magnesium) can cause the kidneys to stop working properly. Electrolyte imbalance is usually caused by throwing up excessively or having a diet without enough nutrients. Diuretic abuse can also put a lot of stress on kidneys, and this can cause them to stop working properly.
Anorexia Nervosa | Bulimia Nervosa CloseDry, Yellow Skin
Not getting enough nutrients from food and not drinking enough liquids can cause yellowish, flaky skin.
Anorexia Nervosa | Bulimia Nervosa CloseAnxiety
Feeling worried, nervous or fearful.
Anorexia Nervosa | Binge Eating | Bulimia Nervosa CloseLow Iron
Poor nutrition can lead to having low levels of iron in the body. This can lead to feeling very tired and having very low energy levels.
Anorexia Nervosa CloseLow Blood Pressure
Not drinking enough fluids can lead to dehydration and low blood pressure. Low blood pressure can also be caused by throwing up after meals or abusing laxatives or diuretics. Side effects of low blood pressure include feeling weak or dizzy, and fainting.
Anorexia Nervosa | Bulimia Nervosa CloseInfertility
Changes in hormones can make it hard to get pregnant. Women who are pregnant will have a higher chance of having a miscarriage or having a low birth weight baby.
Anorexia Nervosa | Bulimia Nervosa CloseSwollen Hands and/or Feet
Can be caused by not drinking enough liquids or abusing laxatives and diuretics. The body will try to retain water, leading to a buildup of fluid in the hands and feet. Also known as edema.
Anorexia Nervosa | Bulimia Nervosa CloseWeight Fluctuations
The cycle of bingeing and purging can lead to constant changes in weight. Weight will often go up and down by 10 pounds or more.
Bulimia Nervosa CloseTo learn more about different disordered eating behaviours, click on each of the eating disorders listed here:
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