What is an Eating Disorder?
Anorexia
- Starving oneself - when someone does not eat a normal amount of food for body size and is only 85% of normal weight according to guidelines.
- Extreme fear of getting fat.
- Views self as bigger/fatter than actual size. Does not think she/he has a problem. Self-esteem depends on weight and body size.
- Skipped menstrual period three times in a row.
Bulimia nervosa
- Bingeing - Eating unusually large amounts of food past the point one feels full. This happens about twice a week.
- Purging - forcing oneself to get rid of food, such as throwing up, vigorous exercise or restricting how much one eats to lose weight.
- One feels a lack of control over eating.
- Self-esteem depends on weight and body size.
Binge eating
- Bingeing - Eating unusually large amounts of food within 2 hours.
- One feels a lack of control over eating.
- Happens about 2 days a week for an extended period of time.
- Feeling distressed about binge eating
- Self-esteem depends on weight and body size
adapted from Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV criteria
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