Do I have an eating disorder? It’s important to identify whether or not you may be struggling with an eating disorder because the sooner it’s detected, the better your chances are for successful treatment and healing. One way to better understand if you may be struggling with an eating disorder is to attempt to identify some of the common signs and symptoms of eating disorders in your life. Every person living with an eating disorder may not have the same symptoms or show the same signs as another person who’s living with the same condition. So, you may only be dealing with a few of these signs and symptoms. In any case, if you are living with some of these signs and symptoms, it may be the information you need to make a choice about getting professional help.

Physical Signs and Symptoms of Eating Disorders

There are a number of physical signs and symptoms of eating disorders that may be experienced and identifiable such as:

• not sleeping enough or sleeping too much
• fainting
• dizzy spells
• losing or gaining weight in short periods of time
• missing periods
• cramping of the abdomen
• constipation
• acid reflux/heartburn
• trouble focusing
• sores on the mouth and fingers (from purging)
• dental decay
• weakening of the muscles
• losing hair or thinning of hair
• thin and easily breakable nails
• yellowing skin
• decreased working immune system

Emotional Signs and Symptoms of Eating Disorders

The emotional signs and symptoms of eating disorders may include:

• avoiding loved ones and previously enjoyed hobbies
• not eating in front of others
• obsession with body image and weight
• cutting whole meals or food groups out of one’s diet
• diet fads and continuous dieting after weight loss
• looking in the mirror often
• mood swings and irritability

Signs and Symptoms of Anorexia

It’s important to note that different eating disorders have different signs and symptoms. Anorexia is one of the most dangerous eating disorders of them all because it can lead to fatal amounts of weight loss and malnutrition. Some signs and symptoms of anorexia can include:

• extreme weight loss
• obsessive thinking about counting calories, not eating certain foods and diets
• thinking that one is fat when they are not
• using excessive exercise or diuretics as a way to lose weight

Signs and Symptoms of Bulimia

Bulimia is another common and dangerous eating disorder that is characterized by binge eating and the act of purging (self-induced vomiting). Some of the signs and symptoms of bulimia include:

• sores on the hands and inside the mouth
• dental issues like cavities and tooth decay
• eating large amounts of food in short periods of time
• going to the bathroom immediately after every meal
• consuming large amounts of liquids
• using mints, gum, and mouthwash excessively

Getting Help With Eating Disorders at Delray Beach Psychiatrist

Are you recognizing some of the signs and symptoms of eating disorders in your life or the life of a loved one? It’s important to seek help immediately as treating eating disorders early gives a person the best chance to recover. Delray Beach Psychiatrist offers a patient-centered approach to treating eating disorders of all kinds. Find out more about our eating disorder program and more about our facility on our website.