Anorexia Nervosa is characterized by the following:

• Person refuses to maintain normal body weight for age and height
• Weighs 85% or less that what is expected for age and height
• In women, menstrual period stops. Young girls do not begin to menstruate at the appropriate age. In men, levels of sex hormones fall
• Person denies the dangers of low weight
• Person is terrified of becoming fat
• Reports feeling fat even when very thin
• Depression, irritability, withdrawal, strange eating habits
• Anorexia Nervosa can be deadly

Bulimia Nervosa is characterized by the following:

• Person eats large quantities of food
• Feels out of control while eating
• Vomits, abuses laxative, exercises or fasts to compensate for caloric intake
• Diets when not bingeing
• Believes self-worth requires being thin
• Weight is usually normal or near normal
• Depression, irritability, mood swings, withdrawal
• Like anorexia nervosa, bulimia can be deadly

Binge eating disorder is characterized by the following:

• Frequent and repeated bingeing without vomiting, abusing laxatives or exercising
• Feels out of control and unable to stop during binges
• May eat rapidly and secretly
• Feels guilty and ashamed
• Has a history of multiple diet failure failures
• Tends to be depressed and overweight                                  

 

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