Signs of Heading Toward Anorexia & Bulimia
Anorexia and bulimia are serious eating disorders. While these disorders are serious in themselves, there are often underlying disorders or problems which can cause a person to become anorexic or bulimic. Emotional, social and physical issues can play important parts in the beginning stages of these disorders. There are warning signs of heading into anorexia and bulimia. Knowing these signs can help in early intervention and recovery.
Emotional Signs
Look for signs of the need to be perfect. Look for sudden mood swings. Look for an increase in tension. Watch for signs that the person may be starting to hide information or becomes unwilling to share information about her emotions or habits. Watch for sensitivity to answering personal questions such as, "did you eat?"
Physical Signs
Look for the person to stop eating, or hide food, in public. Watch for binging in private, where a person will eat until he vomits. Look for food stashed in bedrooms, closets or bathrooms. Watch for increased vomiting, or trips to the bathroom after meals or during the night. Compulsive exercising will become normal. Look for broken blood vessels in the eyes. Look for an increased sensitivity to cold. Look for hair loss. Look for a stop in the menstruation cycle in women.
Behavioral Signs
Self-esteem begins to become based upon weight and being skinny. Happiness begins to be associated with weight loss. Statements increase about being thin to a point where it is usually the main topic of the person's conversations. The individual will become obsessed with calorie intake, fat, food and diets. A building obsession with diet books, food labels and keeping a food diary, are additional signs of a possible eating disorder. The individual may increase the use of diet pills, water pills or laxatives to stop weight gain. Working out extra hard after eating a "bad" food such as chocolate or pizza, is another sign.
Social Signs
A person heading towards anorexia or bulimia may browse chat rooms or forums specifically for anorexic people. She may also research laxatives and ways to lose weight quickly. You may find her looking up information on where to get weight loss pills, laxatives or supplements. She may ask other people about extreme diets, weight loss and ways to get supplements.
Environmental Signs
Look for bags of mints stashed in purses or pockets. Look for mouthwash being used excessively. Look for pictures of super thin models plastered around the bedroom or other rooms. Watch to see if the videos or books are being replaced with diet and workout material.
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