THE SYMPTOMS AND EFFECTS OF EATING DISORDERS

Eating disorders are considered diseases because they have predictable symptoms and outcomes. In fact, there is a long list of symptoms associated with eating disorders. Some of these symptoms are physical and some emotional, while others are related to certain behaviors. Hit's not unusual to have a close friend or family member with an eating disorder and not even know it. Even if you spend a lot of rime with someone, the signs of an eating disorder can be hard to notice. Not only that, if you do see signs of unusual eating habits or an obvious change in weight in a close friend or family member, you still might have a hard time believing someone close to you has a real problem.

People with eating disorders often go to great lengths to hide their behavior and its effects. Those who have anorexia often wear baggy clothes to camouflage their weight loss. People with bulimia are usually careful to cover the sound of their vomiting with running water and clean up after themselves at home. Binge eaters usually plan their binges at times and in places where they are unlikely to be seen. People with eating disorders may also hide some of the physical symptoms

associated with eating disorders, such as fatigue. It is no wonder that detecting an eating disorder in a friend or family member can be so difficult. Still, the more you know about the signs and symptoms of eating disorders, the better prepared you will be to recognize a potential problem either in yourself or someone you care about.