Eating disorders include extreme emotions, attitudes, and behaviors surrounding weight and food issues experienced by both women and men. They include Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, and Binge or Compulsive Eating Disorder. All are serious emotional and physical problems that can have life threatening consequences.

ANOREXIA NERVOSA

Anorexia Nervosa is characterized by self-starvation and excessive weight loss. Symptoms include:

	Refusal to maintain body weight at or above a minimally normal weight for height, body     type, age, and activity level
	Intense fear of weight gain or being "fat"
	Feeling "fat" or overweight despite dramatic weight loss
	Loss of menstrual periods
	Extreme concern with body weight and shape

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BULIMIA NERVOSA

Bulimia Nervosa is characterized by a secretive cycle of binge eating followed by purging. Bulimia includes eating large amounts of food--more than most people would eat in one meal--in short periods of time, then getting rid of the food and calories through vomiting, laxative abuse, or over-exercising.

Symptoms include:

	Repeated episodes of bingeing and purging
	Feeling out of control during a binge and eating beyond the point of comfortable fullness
	Purging after a binge, typically by self-induced vomiting, abuse of laxatives, diet pills     and/or diuretics, excessive exercise, or fasting)
	Frequent dieting
	Extreme concern with body weight and shape

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COMPULSIVE OR BINGE EATING

Compulsive or Binge Eating is characterized primarily by periods of uncontrolled, impulsive, or continuous eating beyond the point of feeling comfortably full. While there is no purging, there may be sporadic fasts or repetitive diets and often feelings of shame or self-hatred after a binge. People who overeat compulsively may struggle with anxiety, depression, and loneliness, which can contribute to their unhealthy episodes of binge eating. Body weight may vary from normal to mild, moderate, or severe obesity.

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OTHER EATING DISORDERS

Other eating disorders can include some combination of the signs and symptoms of anorexia, bulimia, and/or compulsive overeating. While these behaviors may not be clinically considered a full syndrome eating disorder, they can still be physically dangerous and emotionally draining. All eating disorders require professional help.

Click on the link to learn more about Binge Eating.

For more information about eating disorders, visit the National Eating Disorders Association website.

Source: Eating Disorder Awareness and Prevention, Inc. 603 Stewart St., Suite 803, Seattle, WA 98101. 1-800-931-2237.