What are the common eating disorder symptoms?

The misconception about eating disorder symptoms is that the purported weight gain or loss commonly associated with such disorders are present in all cases. The truth is, sufferers of anorexia, bulimia, or any other eating disorder display a varied spectrum of eating disorder symptoms — weight gain or loss being just one of them.

Many people who suffer from an eating disorder are in danger of physical and mental damage, regardless of whether they look underweight, overweight, or even average. There are many symptoms that can be a sign of a possible eating disorder. Understanding the many eating disorder symptoms can help you identify an eating disorder in a loved one and take action to intervene.

There are millions in the United States suffering from eating disorders, most of whom will not acknowledge their disorder, let alone seek help. Here are a number of symptoms for the most common eating disorders to help you determine whether or not a loved one is one of them:

1. Extensive weight gain or weight loss in a short period of time – as mentioned earlier, the most common eating disorder is dramatic weight gain or weight loss.

2. Unhealthy focus on weight – a sufferer may comment on his or her weight in a negative fashion or constantly engulf his or herself with weight loss thoughts, regardless of relative weight to others the same age or height.

3. Unhealthy focus on nutrition – particularly the amount of calories or the amount of fat in the foods he or she eats.

4. Going to the bathroom often, especially after meals – more a symptom of bulimia than an eating disorder symptom, the sufferer will often turn on the faucet or continually flush the toilet to hide sounds.

5. Constant, obvious binging – many people will binge, but someone with an eating disorder such as binge eating disorder will binge constantly and extensively.

6. Low self-esteem – a mental and social symptom that becomes more and more obvious as the eating disorder continues, low self-esteem often accompanies eating disorders leading to a need for acceptance and negative feeling towards the self.

7. Mood swings – rapid changing of moods over a short period of time, often more than once in a day (including depression)

8. Constant dieting – those with an eating disorder may try to hide it behind the veil of a diet, even if not necessary.

9. Pale skin and hair loss – anorexia, bulimia, and other eating disorder can take a heavy toll on the body leading to weakness.

10. Hiding food – depending on the disorder, sufferers may hide food in strange places to either eat at a later time or avoid eating.

As you can see, the many eating disorder symptoms range from physical to mental. Keep these eating disorder symptoms in mind when you suspect a loved one may need help — you just might become the advocate they need to get through it.