An eating disorder can have a devastating effect on a person’s life. They can affect relationships, jobs, social life and overall health. Eating disorders symptoms include a decrease in appetite, weight loss, and poor self-esteem. If you think that someone you know may have an eating disorder, it’s important to look for certain signs.
Physical Symptoms: Loss of appetite, extreme hunger, fatigue, weakness, muscle pain and joint aches, lack of energy, fainting, dizziness, loss of sleep, difficulty regulating temperature, constipation, bloating, swollen glands under the jaw or frequent dental problems (if they vomit often). If you notice any of these symptoms in your loved one, contact your doctor right away.
Behavioral Changes: Obsessive eating, excessive exercise, rigid diet rules, counting calories, restricting food, and purging are some of the most common behaviors seen in people with eating disorders. These behaviors are usually developed as a way to cope with feelings of insecurity and take back some control over their lives.
Psychological Symptoms: Low self-esteem, insecurities about body weight and shape, feeling worried about gaining or losing weight, and obsessive thoughts about body image and appearance are other psychological symptoms of an eating disorder. They can cause a person to feel insecure about themselves and others and have distorted body images.
Unhealthy Focus on Body Image: Those with an eating disorder often spend a lot of time staring at themselves in the mirror or looking at pictures of thin celebrities and discussing their own bodies with others. They often have a distorted body image that is not at all what they actually are.
Preoccupation with Diet & Nutrition: A sudden preoccupation with perceived “healthy” and “unhealthy” foods can be an early warning sign of an eating disorder. Restricting fatty or unhealthy foods, counting calories rigidly, and engaging in purging are some of the behavior changes seen here.
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder: ARFID is a newer type of eating disorder that can be found in both men and women. This type of disorder is often accompanied by other psychological conditions like anxiety and OCD, explains Hafeez. It can also occur alongside developmental disabilities, including autism.
Mood & Depression: People with eating disorders often feel depressed and isolated. They become angry, sad, and withdrawn from friends and family. They can even withdraw from activities that used to bring them joy, such as sports or going out with their friends.
In severe cases, they may stop eating altogether. They may not even want to eat in front of their loved ones.
These individuals often make excuses for skipping meals or claiming to dislike particular foods they once enjoyed. They may also hide food in their rooms, cars or bags and use laxatives or diuretics to get rid of the excess fluid in their stomachs after eating.
Affected individuals may feel ashamed about their body and will attempt to cover up these issues by wearing baggy clothes or concealing themselves from the public. They may talk about their body in negative ways and may use the term, “body dysmorphia” to describe their bodies.
