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If you're experiencing any of the problems listed above, or if you think you may have an eating disorder, get help. If you have a loved one you're worried about, urge her or him to talk to a doctor. Their desire to remain thin overrides concerns about their health. Unfortunately, many people with anorexia don't want treatment, at least initially. Complaining about being fat or having parts of the body that are fat.Frequent checking in the mirror for perceived flaws.Fear of gaining weight that may include repeated weighing or measuring the body.Lying about how much food has been eaten.Adopting rigid meal or eating rituals, such as spitting food out after chewing.Eating only a few certain "safe" foods, usually those low in fat and calories.Denial of hunger or making excuses for not eating.Frequently skipping meals or refusing to eat.Preoccupation with food, which sometimes includes cooking elaborate meals for others but not eating them.Bingeing and self-induced vomiting to get rid of food, which may include the use of laxatives, enemas, diet aids or herbal productsĮmotional and behavioral signs and symptoms may include:.Severely restricting food intake through dieting or fasting.Emotional and behavioral symptomsīehavioral symptoms of anorexia may include attempts to lose weight by: But people with anorexia generally struggle with an abnormally low body weight, while individuals with bulimia typically are normal to above normal weight. Some people who have anorexia binge and purge, similar to individuals who have bulimia. Eroded teeth and calluses on the knuckles from induced vomiting.Extreme weight loss or not making expected developmental weight gains.Physical signs and symptoms of anorexia may include: Also, people with anorexia often disguise their thinness, eating habits or physical problems. It may be difficult to notice signs and symptoms because what is considered a low body weight is different for each person, and some individuals may not appear extremely thin. Anorexia also includes emotional and behavioral issues involving an unrealistic perception of body weight and an extremely strong fear of gaining weight or becoming fat. The physical signs and symptoms of anorexia nervosa are related to starvation.
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