Signs of Anorexia

The signs of anorexia are not always obvious. Read this article to find out if your loved one exhibits some of the most common signs and symptoms of anorexia nervosa.

Anorexia 10 signs...

One of the best ways to identify the signs and symptoms of anorexia nervosa is by spending as much time as you can with the person you believe might be affected. Just because someone looks thin doesn't mean he/she has a problem. You must be able to observe his/her attitudes as well as behaviors.

You can identify anorexia by paying attention to someone's eating and food behaviors as well as how the person looks and feels about him/herself.

The first thing that will make you wonder if your loved one is anorexic is the way he/she looks. Dramatic weight loss and denying that he/she is too thin are two signs that should prompt you to begin looking for additional warning signs that include the following.

Someone who suffers from anorexia may tell you that he/she feels fat even though he/she is underweight. The person may be obsessed with looking in the mirror and often comments on being fat in one or multiple parts of his/her body. You may also notice that the person takes a long time to dress and becomes emotional because he/she thinks everything makes him/her look fat.

If you have a chance to sit down and eat with your loved one, this will help you identify if he/she is suffering from anorexia. People who are anorexic may try to hide their unhealthy relationship with food, but it's usually not possible. The next time you are with your loved, see if you spot any of these signs:

• States that he/she already ate

This may be true once and awhile, but if you make specific plans to take your loved one out to eat, this can mean your loved one doesn't want to eat in front of you for fear you will notice he/she doesn't eat much.

• Always on a diet

If your loved one is always on a diet despite being severely underweight, this is another sign that there is a problem.

• Counting calories and fat grams

If your loved one is overly obsessed with nutrition such as reading about it and looking up calories and fat grams of every morsel of food that enters his/her mouth, this could also signal a problem with anorexia.

• Isolative eating

People who suffer from anorexia become compulsive about the way they eat. To a point, they realize this and will often isolate themselves while eating. This is mainly because some anorexics will cut up their food in small pieces and take a long time to eat; some will even spit their food out after chewing it.

• Obsessed with food

To make it easier to deal with not eating, someone with anorexia may become obsessed with food and meal planning. One reason for this is that the person derives pleasure from just viewing information or pictures of food instead of eating it. Another reason is that the person is constantly looking for ways to cut down on calories by finding foods or meals that make that possible.

You may notice that your loved one will excuse him/herself to use the restroom after eating. This may be because he/she is throwing up the food just eaten.

Another example of one of the signs of anorexia is excessive exercising. While exercising may be healthy, overdoing it and not eating can have serious medical consequences.

People who suffer from anorexia will sometimes use laxatives and diet pills to help with appetite and rid the body of consumed food. Pay attention to any medication your loved one says he/she needs to take either before or following a meal.

If you believe your loved one suffers from anorexia, don't be surprised if he/she denies your accusations. Remember, people with anorexia believe they are fat, and no one can tell them otherwise. The best thing you can do is present what you believe is true and let the person know you are available for support and help. If your loved one has reached the point of feeling ill, encourage him/her to seek medical care immediately.

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