Treating Addiction 10/03/2012 Eating Disorders: Signs And Symptoms October 03, 2012 By: AddictionTreatment.org An eating disorder can include severe overeating, or eating extremely small amounts of food. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) explains that an eating disorder is an illness that causes serious disturbances to your everyday diet. Please Read This: Men's Recovery Homes/Rehabs Typically, an eating disorder manifests itself during the teen years, but can happen at any point in life. Eating disorders typically exist with other illnesses, such as depression or substance abuse. The three most common eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating. Here are some signs and symptoms that may occur if someone is dealing with one of these eating disorders. Anorexia Nervosa A person with anorexia limits the amount of food they eat, even if they are too thin. They have an intense fear of gaining weight. Signs and symptoms of anorexia are documented here. Has a low body weight Has a fear of gaining weight, or thinks that he or she is fat when she is thin Misses three menstrual cycles in a row Makes themselves throw up Takes diet pills, or needs to take pills to have a bowel movement Eats very little Exercises a lot, even in bad weather or when hurt or tired Shows signs of mental illness, including anxiety, depression, obsessive behavior or substance abuse The NIMA explains some of the negative consequences anorexia nervosa can have on the body: You Might Like This: Sober Living Program Thinning of the bones Brittle nails and hair Severe constipation Low blood pressure, slow breathing and pulse Damage to structure and function of the heart Drop in internal body temperature, causing person to feel cold all the time. Infertility Bulimia Nervosa A person with bulimia eats a lot of food in a short period of time, and purges by vomiting or taking laxatives. Womenshealth.gov documents signs and symptoms of bulimia. Has fear of gaining weight Is unhappy with shape and body size Uses diet pills Goes to the bathroom all the time after eating Has swollen cheeks or jaw area Has teeth that look clear Has broken blood vessels in the eye Shows signs of mental illness including anxiety, depression and substance abuse. The NIMA explains some of the negative consequences bulimia nervosa can have on the body: Chronic sore throat Acid reflux or gastrointestinal problems Severe dehydration from purging of fluids Electrolyte imbalance that can lead to heart attack Binge Eating Binge eaters lose control over their eating. Unlike the other disorders characterized here, binge eaters do not purge or fast, and therefore are often overweight or obese. Womenshealth.gov documents the signs and symptoms of binge eating. Eats more quickly than usual Eats until uncomfortably full, or when not hungry Eats because of embarrassment Feels anxiety over their eating Shows signs of mental illness including anxiety, depression and substance abuse Because binge eating can lead to heart disease, binge eating can lead to the following health problems: Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, gallbladder disease, heart disease and types of cancer. Treatable Conditions Luckily, according to the American Psychological Association, eating disorders are largely treatable when handled by trained health and mental healthcare professionals. The sooner treatment begins, the easier the disease is to treat. If someone is experiencing the signs and symptoms of an eating disorder, they should seek help immediately. Continue Reading This Article Get The Help You Need Emergency Intervention Rehab Support Learn About Your Addiction Alcohol Gambling Drugs Sex Get The Help You Need Intervention Rehab Support Emergency Learn About Your Addiction Alcohol Drugs Gambling Sex Recommended Articles interventions Intervention Success Rates news Addiction In Marriage: When To Stay And When To Go news Can't Quit Smoking? Your Genes May Be To Blame treating addiction Psychedelics For Treating Addiction: Overview Of Ibogaine treating addiction Sober Living Program Tags: treating addiction resources lifestyle signs symptoms habits trends choices eating disorders anorexia bulimia binge diet pills anxiety substance abuse depression Comments Read These Articles Next: Addiction In Colorado: Trends And Statistics Salvia Use: Signs And Symptoms Eating Disorders, Fertility And Pregnancy Substance Abuse Among Asian Americans Substance Abuse Among Black Americans Addiction In Idaho: Trends And Statistics