*H.O.P.E. Info*

Facts:

Signs and Symptoms of Eating Disorders (PowerPoint)

Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia is characterized by the extreme loss of weight and self- starvation. The refusal to eat and denying hunger are signs of anorexia. Anorexics struggle with maintaining a normal body weight and become preoccupied with food. Often times, those struggling with anorexia insist that they are overweight and fear any gain in weight

Signs and Symptoms:
• Significant and dramatic weight loss usually in a short period of time.
• Obsessive behavior with weight, food intake, calorie counting, fat grams, diets and exercise.
• Loss of interest in other activities such as school, sports, friends and family.
• Denial of weight loss and insistence of being “fat”.
• Avoiding others around meal times and disposing of food during meals.
• Over exercising to burn off the remaining calories.
• Constantly being exhausted and often times cold even in a comfortable climate.
• Abuse of diet pills and fads.

Consequences:
• Low blood pressure and slow heart rate
•Heart failure resulting in death
• Osteoporosis
• Fatigue
• Loss of hair
• Dry skin and hair and weak nails
• Kidney failure because of dehydration
• Lanugo- layer of hair on the body

Other Facts:
• About 10% of Americans will struggle with anorexia
• 90% of anorexics are women
• Number one cause of death among mental illnesses.
•1 of every 10 victims of anorexia will die from side effects accompanying anorexia.
• Usually effects teens, but the age is dropping significantly to effect those as young as seven.

Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia is typically characterized by consuming large portions of food followed by purging to remove the intake of calories. Sometimes, however, bulimia is a sign of anger that provides the victim with satisfaction after purging.

Signs and Symptoms:
• Eating large amounts of food followed by feelings of guilt of losing control.
• Eating and then going to a private place to vomit. Avoiding anyone that would prevent them from throwing up.
• The abuse of laxatives to rid the body of meals eaten.
• Fasting followed by binging.
• Obsession with food and amount taken in.
• Oftentimes food is kept as a symbol of accomplishment for the victim.
• Loss of hair due to malnutrition.
• Tears on the hand from teeth rubbing while self-inducing vomiting.
• Swelling around the mouth.
• Stains on teeth from the acid produced from vomiting.
• Alteration of daily schedule in order to be able to binge and purge.
• Refusing to socialize after eating to be able to purge in private.
• Weight loss occurs, but sometimes not because post purging requires the intake of food to stop the body from shaking.
• Tearing in the esophagus causing constant sore throats and blood evident in saliva.

Consequences:
• Esophagus rupturing.
• Tears in the stomach lining
• Decaying teeth
• Irregular bowel movements
• Electrolyte imbalances that lead to irregular heartbeats
• Shingles due to stress inflicted on the body
• Loss of hair
• Scars on the skin from teeth
• Acid Reflux
• Depression

Other Facts:
• Sometimes Bulimics are overweight.
• 80% of bulimics are women.
• Most victims realize that what they are doing is wrong, but it becomes an addiction
• Reoccurs later in life if not treated professionally