Eating disorders affect many people, young and old, male and female, and some people don’t even realize that they have a problem. An eating disorder is an illness that prevents people from eating normally and maintaining optimal health and body weight. And the consequences can be devastating.
How Do You Know If You Have An Eating Disorder?
There are many eating disorder symptoms to look for, and it’s not uncommon for sufferers to experience a few but not all of them. If you suffer from any of the symptoms below or suspect that you may have an eating disorder, don’t hesitate to seek advice from people who have been through this and know what to do.
Common Eating Disorder Symptoms
The most common eating disorder symptoms include:
- Extreme thinness or obesity
- Irregular or missed menstrual cycles
- Severely restricted food consumption
- Yellow skin
- Dry hair and nails
- Sore throat
- Eroded tooth enamel
- Lack of energy
- Lightheadedness
- Acid reflux
The symptoms you experience will vary depending on the severity and type of eating disorder you may have.
Common Types Of Eating Disorders
While there are an unknown number of specific eating disorders, the three most commonly diagnosed are:
- Bulimia nervosa: one will tend to binge on large amounts of food and then purge the extra calories by exercising incessantly, inducing vomiting or using laxatives.
- Anorexia nervosa: a condition where people misperceive themselves to be overweight and consequently refuses or struggles to eat amounts of food required to maintain good health.
- Binge-eating disorder: individuals with this disorder will also overeat, but will likely sink into bouts of depression rather than try to purge away the excess calories.
Can’t You Just Deal With It On Your Own?
Many people have a hard time accepting eating disorders as something that requires the help of others. They believe that they are simply weak-minded or lacking motivation, so instead of seeking help, they try to push through on their own and just “be tough.” As a result, many people suffer in silence, while their health deteriorates.
“Everything I’ve Tried To Overcome My Eating Disorder Has Failed”
Many methods to help people with an eating disorder simply don’t work. Perhaps you’re new to this experience and haven’t discovered this unfortunate fact just yet. Maybe you know it all too well after failing for years to overcome the disorder.
If you’ve tried every method you can think of, talk to people who have actually had these problems and have successfully overcome them. Roy Nelson Healing can help you overcome your eating disorder as well.
