SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF DISORDERED EATING

Restricting

  • Obsessive behaviour (with food, diet, and/or exercise)
  • Cognitive impairment (forgetfulness, decreased concentration, and/or poor performance
    in school/work)
  • Weight loss and/or smaller than natural body size
  • Increased susceptibility to colds, flu, etc
  • Weakness, fatigue and/or fainting
  • Insomnia
  • Ongoing stomach problems, muscle cramps or tremors
  • Cessation of menstruation
  • Dull, brittle or thinning hair
  • Fine hair growth on face or body
  • Constipation, dehydration
  • Cold intolerance
  • Stress fractures, recurrent injuries
  • Cardiac disturbances, low pulse, low blood pressure
  • Thyroid dysfunction
  • Hormone imbalances
  • Potassium and electrolyte disturbances
Binge/Purge Cycle
  • Eating with a feeling of "out of control"
  • Ignoring or unaware of body signals regarding hunger, thirst, satiety
  • Self-induced purging to prevent weight gain (through the use of laxatives, enemas,
    diuretics, vomiting, excessive exercise, severe food restriction)
  • Weight fluctuations
  • Dehydration
  • Broken blood vessels in/around eyes, blurred vision
  • Hand tremors, weakness, dizziness, fainting spells
  • Insomnia
  • Increased susceptibility to colds, flu, etc
  • Swelling of neck, raw throat
  • Ulcers, hiatus hernia
  • Irregular menstruation
  • Low pulse and blood pressure
  • Tooth enamel decay
  • Thyroid dysfunction
  • Hormone imbalances
  • Potassium and electrolyte disturbances
Compulsive Eating
  • Ignoring or unaware of body signals regarding hunger, thirst, satiety (i.e.: eating large amounts, continuously, without awareness, etc)
  • Eating in reaction to stress, conflicts, daily problems, emotions, situations
  • Feeling high after overeating followed by feelings of guilt and/or depression
  • Weight fluctuations, weight gain and/or larger than natural body size
  • Electrolyte disturbances
  • Increased risk of bone and joint problems
  • Exercising as a form of punishment, with a preoccupation with burning calories
  • Ignoring or unaware of body signals regarding fatigue, injury, pain
  • Prone to injury: stress fractures, recurrent injuries
  • Moodiness, feelings of guilt when not exercising

Regardless of the type of behaviour being exhibited, the emotional or psychological issues faced by individuals struggling with of disordered eating and body image can be very similar. Therefore, the following list of psychological signs and symptoms is not categorized according to specific behaviours.

An individual will not necessarily experience all of the examples listed below.

  • Low self-esteem
  • Excessive concern with body image
  • Preoccupation with weight and shape
  • Fears of growing up
  • Extreme concerns about approval and/or heightened sensitivity to criticism
  • Inability to identify/express emotions
  • Difficult relationships or lack of connection (family, friends, community, etc)
  • Feelings of inadequacy and inferiority
  • Pressure (peer, familial, societal, etc)
  • Perfectionism
  • Ritualistic behaviour around food and/or exercise
  • Strong need for control, routine, structure
  • Feelings of guilt, shame, disgust
  • Feelings of being fat in spite of increasing thinness
  • Feelings of failure, powerlessness, and unhappiness
  • Depression