Eating Disorder Symptoms

Please remember, individuals with eating disorders often try to keep them a secret. They attempt to keep symptoms and activities hidden from friends and loved ones.

The list below contains common indicators of eating disorders.

Distorted body image

Amenorrhea or menstrual irregularities

Binging or compulsive eating

Fatigue

Compulsive exercising

Decreased social interaction

Restricted eating, constant dieting

Unexplained changes in behavior or mood

Extreme fear of gaining weight

Excessive guilt about eating

Purging through vomiting, laxatives, diuretics, exercising, etc.

Low self-esteem

Shame and embarrassment about eating behaviors and appearance

Preoccupation with calories, food, weight, and appearance

Weight loss or gain/fluctuations--weight change doesn't have to be significant to signal a problem

Feeling unable to control eating/purging [remember extreme control is a form of being out of control]

Please note: Symptoms may be caused by or shared with many other psychological or physical disorders, so it's important to get a professional evaluation.

Comments, questions, or suggestions? Please, email me.

Jonathan P. Levine, CSW

2300 West Ridge Rd.

Rochester, NY 14626

(585) 225-0330

jonathan@aquietvoice.com

Updated on 06/24/2002
� 2002, Jonathan P. Levine, CSW