Bulimia
Characterized by binge eating and purging
The following symptoms are often seen early in a person's battle with Bulimia.
- *Low self esteem
- Feeling that self worth is dependent on low weight
- dependent on opposite sex approval
- normal weight
- constant concern with weight and body image
- *experimentation with vomiting, laxatives, and diuretics
- *poor impulse control
- fear that bingeing and purging are getting out of control
The following symptoms are often seen when a bulimic has been fighting this eating disorder for some time.
- Embarrassment
- Anxiety
- Depression
- *self-indulgent behavior
- eats alone
- *preoccupied with eating and food
- tiredness, apathy, irritability
- *gastrointestinal disorders
- anemia
- *social isolation, distancing from friends and family
- dishonesty, lying, stealing food and money
- *tooth damage, gum disease, *often a person's dentist is one of the primary people to discover that a person has bulimia
- *"chipmunk" (puffy) cheeks
- drug and alcohol abuse
- *laxative and diuretic abuse
The following symptoms appear when a person is in the crucial (later) stage of Bulimia.
- Mood swings
- *chronic sore throat
- *difficulties in breathing and swallowing
- hypokalemia (abnormally low potassium concentration)
- electrolyte imbalance
- general ill health, constant physical problems
- *possible rupture of the heart or esophagus
- *peritonitis
- suicidal tendencies