ANOREXIA NERVOSA
People with anorexia generally view themselves as overweight, even if they’re dangerously underweight. They tend to constantly monitor their weight, avoid eating certain types of foods, and severely restrict their calories.
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Common symptoms of anorexia nervosa include:
being considerably underweight compared with people of similar age and height
very restricted eating patterns
an intense fear of gaining weight or persistent behaviors to avoid gaining weight, despite being underweight
a relentless pursuit of thinness and unwillingness to maintain a healthy weight
a heavy influence of body weight or perceived body shape on self-esteem
a distorted body image, including denial of being seriously underweight
BULIMIA NERVOSA
People with bulimia may secretly binge — eating large amounts of food with a loss of control over the eating — and then purge, trying to get rid of the extra calories in an unhealthy way.
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Bulimia signs and symptoms may include:
Being preoccupied with your body shape and weight
Living in fear of gaining weight
Repeated episodes of eating abnormally large amounts of food in one sitting
Feeling a loss of control during bingeing — like you can't stop eating or can't control what you eat
Forcing yourself to vomit or exercising too much to keep from gaining weight after bingeing
Using laxatives, diuretics or enemas after eating when they're not needed
Fasting, restricting calories or avoiding certain foods between binges
Using dietary supplements or herbal products excessively for weight loss
BINGE EATING DISORDER
Common symptoms of binge eating disorder include:
Eating large amounts of foods rapidly, in secret and until uncomfortably full, despite not feeling hungry
Feeling a lack of control during episodes of binge eating
Feelings of distress, such as shame, disgust, or guilt, when thinking about the binge eating behavior
No use of purging behaviors, such as calorie restriction, vomiting, excessive exercise, or laxative or diuretic use, to compensate for the binging