If you’ve been living with bulimia for a while, you’ve probably “done it all” to conceal your binging and purging habits. It’s only human to feel ashamed about having a hard time controlling yourself with food, so you most likely binge alone. If you eat a box of doughnuts, then you’ll replace them so your friends or family won’t notice. When buying food for a binge, you might shop at four separate markets so the checker won’t guess. But despite your secret life, those closest to you probably have a sense that something is not right.
Binge eating signs and symptoms ◾Lack of control over eating – Inability to stop eating. Eating until the point of physical discomfort and pain. ◾Secrecy surrounding eating – Going to the kitchen after everyone else has gone to bed. Going out alone on unexpected food runs. Wanting to eat in privacy. ◾Eating unusually large amounts of food with no obvious change in weight. ◾Disappearance of food, numerous empty wrappers or food containers in the garbage, or hidden stashes of junk food. ◾Alternating between overeating and fasting – Rarely eats normal meals. It’s all-or-nothing when it comes to food.
Purging signs and symptoms
◾Going to the bathroom after meals – Frequently disappears after meals or takes a trip to the bathroom to throw up. May run the water to disguise sounds of vomiting.
◾Using laxatives, diuretics, or enemas after eating. May also take diet pills to curb appetite or use the sauna to “sweat out” water weight.
◾Smell of vomit – The bathroom or the person may smell like vomit. They may try to cover up the smell with mouthwash, perfume, air freshener, gum, or mints.
◾Excessive exercising – Works out strenuously, especially after eating. Typical activities include high-intensity calorie burners such as running or aerobics.
Physical signs and symptoms of bulimia
◾Calluses or scars on the knuckles or hands from sticking fingers down the throat to induce vomiting.
◾Puffy “chipmunk” cheeks caused by repeated vomiting.
◾Discolored teeth from exposure to stomach acid when throwing up. May look yellow, ragged, or clear.
◾Not underweight – Men and women with bulimia are usually normal weight or slightly overweight. Being underweight while purging might indicate a purging type of anorexia.
◾Frequent fluctuations in weight – Weight may fluctuate by 10 pounds or more due to alternating episodes of bingeing and purging.
If you’ve been living with bulimia for a while, you’ve probably “done it all” to conceal your binging and purging habits. It’s only human to feel ashamed about having a hard time controlling yourself with food, so you most likely binge alone. If you eat a box of doughnuts, then you’ll replace them so your friends or family won’t notice. When buying food for a binge, you might shop at four separate markets so the checker won’t guess. But despite your secret life, those closest to you probably have a sense that something is not right.
Binge eating signs and symptoms
◾Lack of control over eating – Inability to stop eating. Eating until the point of physical discomfort and pain.
◾Secrecy surrounding eating – Going to the kitchen after everyone else has gone to bed. Going out alone on unexpected food runs. Wanting to eat in privacy.
◾Eating unusually large amounts of food with no obvious change in weight.
◾Disappearance of food, numerous empty wrappers or food containers in the garbage, or hidden stashes of junk food.
◾Alternating between overeating and fasting – Rarely eats normal meals. It’s all-or-nothing when it comes to food.
Purging signs and symptoms
◾Going to the bathroom after meals – Frequently disappears after meals or takes a trip to the bathroom to throw up. May run the water to disguise sounds of vomiting.
◾Using laxatives, diuretics, or enemas after eating. May also take diet pills to curb appetite or use the sauna to “sweat out” water weight.
◾Smell of vomit – The bathroom or the person may smell like vomit. They may try to cover up the smell with mouthwash, perfume, air freshener, gum, or mints.
◾Excessive exercising – Works out strenuously, especially after eating. Typical activities include high-intensity calorie burners such as running or aerobics.
Physical signs and symptoms of bulimia
◾Calluses or scars on the knuckles or hands from sticking fingers down the throat to induce vomiting.
◾Puffy “chipmunk” cheeks caused by repeated vomiting.
◾Discolored teeth from exposure to stomach acid when throwing up. May look yellow, ragged, or clear.
◾Not underweight – Men and women with bulimia are usually normal weight or slightly overweight. Being underweight while purging might indicate a purging type of anorexia.
◾Frequent fluctuations in weight – Weight may fluctuate by 10 pounds or more due to alternating episodes of bingeing and purging.