Signs of anorexia
•avoid food and meals
•pick out a few foods and eat these in small quantities
•carefully weigh and portion food
•carefully check calories and fat content of food
•keep lists of food or keep a food diary
•deny you are hungry
•make excuses to avoid eating
•hide food you claim to have eaten
•repeatedly check your body weight
•try other ways of controlling your weight, such as intense and compulsive exercise
•get rid of what you have eaten by vomiting or using laxatives, enemas or diuretics
•put yourself down as being ‘fat’ or say you do not matter
•try to please everybody or get approval from other people.

Effects of anorexia on the body
•Severe weight loss
•Constipation and stomach pain
•Dizzy spells and feeling faint
•Downy, fine hair on your body
•Your hair falling out
•Poor circulation and feeling cold
•Dry, rough or discoloured skin
•Your periods stop or do not start
•Dehydration

Physical effects often improve when you recover, but there is a risk of long-term damage such as osteoporosis or not being able to have a child (infertility). It may be useful to talk to your doctor about any steps you can take to reduce your risk of developing long-term problems.

There is a list of organisations at the end of this factsheet that you could contact if you feel that you may have an eating disorder and would like further advice and information.

Signs of bulimia
•Urges to eat large amounts of food
•Moods swings
•Anxiety and depression
•Not feeling good about yourself (low self esteem)
•Feeling ashamed or guilty
•Vomiting after you eat
•Excessive use of laxatives, diuretics or enemas
•Periods of fasting
•Excessive exercise
•Secrecy and reluctance to socialise

Effects of bulimia on the body
•Sore throat
•Bad breath
•Bad skin
•Irregular periods
•Tiredness
•Puffiness of face and fingers

Signs of binge eating disorder and compulsive eating
•Fear of not being able to control eating, and of not being able to stop eating
•Fear of eating around others
•Believing that life will be better if you lose weight
•Putting yourself down with comments after eating
•Blame your failure in social and professional life on your weight
•Depression/ mood swings
•Fatigue
•Using a variety of popular diet plans
•Hiding food in strange places to eat later
•Vague or secretive eating patterns

Effects of binge eating disorder and compulsive eating on the body
•Getting out of breath after light activity
•Excessive sweating
•High blood pressure and/or cholesterol
•Leg and joint pain
•Weight gain
•Decreased mobility due to weight gain
•Loss of sexual desire or promiscuous sexual activity
•Insomnia
•Poor sleeping habits