Anorexia nervosa

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder that causes people to obsess about their weight and the food they eat. People with anorexia nervosa attempt to maintain a weight that's far below normal for their age and height. To prevent weight gain or to continue losing weight, people with anorexia nervosa may starve themselves or exercise excessively.

Physical signs and symptoms of anorexia include:

    Extreme weight loss
    Thin appearance
    Abnormal blood counts
    Fatigue
    Insomnia
    Dizziness or fainting
    A bluish discoloration of the fingers
    Hair that thins, breaks or falls out
    Soft, downy hair covering the body
    Absence of menstruation
    Constipation
    Dry skin
    Intolerance of cold
    Irregular heart rhythms
    Low blood pressure
    Dehydration
    Osteoporosis
    Swelling of arms or legs

Emotional and behavioral characteristics associated with anorexia include:

    Refusal to eat
    Denial of hunger
    Afraid of gaining weight
    Lying about how much food has been eaten
    Excessive exercise
    Flat mood (lack of emotion)
    Social withdrawal
    Irritability
    Preoccupation with food
    Reduced interest in sex
    Depressed mood
    Possible use of laxatives, diet aids or herbal products

Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia (boo-LEE-me-uh) nervosa, commonly called bulimia, is a serious, potentially life-threatening eating disorder. People with bulimia may secretly binge — eating large amounts of food — and then purge, trying to get rid of the extra calories in an unhealthy way. For example, someone with bulimia may force vomiting or do excessive exercise. Sometimes people purge after eating only a small snack or a normal-size meal.

Bulimia signs and symptoms may include:

    Being preoccupied with your body shape and weight
    Living in fear of gaining weight
    Feeling that you can't control your eating behavior
    Eating until the point of discomfort or pain
    Eating much more food in a binge episode than in a normal meal or snack
    Forcing yourself to vomit or exercise too much
    Misusing laxatives, diuretics or enemas after eating
    Using dietary supplements or herbal products for weight loss