How To Recognize Signs and Symptoms Of Anorexia

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When diet and exercise become an obsession, the problem may be bigger than just wanting to look good. Learn to identify anorexia, a mental condition that can result in self-starvation, with these tips.

To complete this How-To you will need:

Objectivity
Anorexia nervosa information

Warning: Anorexia nervosa is potentially life-threatening. If you believe someone is anorexic, get them immediate medical help.

Step 1: Be mindful of eating habits

Be aware of changes in eating habits of the person you suspect has a problem. Notice if they skip meals, make excuses to not eat in public, pick at food, or spit it out.

Step 2: Be wary of excessive exercise

Notice if the person exercises excessively or works out vigorously after meals. Denial of a change in habit can also signal a problem.

Step 3: Notice mood changes

Watch for mood swings and personality changes, including irritability, negativity, low self-esteem, withdrawal, perfectionism, or an inability to cope.

Tip: Personality changes are associated with many different medical situations, not just anorexia.

Step 4: Notice a change in wardrobe

Note if your friend begins to wear baggy, loose-fitting, or layered clothing. This may be an attempt to hide dramatic weight loss.

Step 5: Find out about missed periods in women

Ask if your friend has missed periods. Missing three or four periods in a row is a danger sign.

Step 6: Watch for sensitivity to cold

Be aware of any new sensitivity to cold, and the growth of fine hair, called lanugo, on their skin. This is the body's way of trying to keep warm.

Step 7: Notice poor health

Watch for symptoms of poor health, such as thinning hair, jaundice, and bruising. These symptoms are caused by vitamin imbalances.

Step 8: Seek medical help

Seek medical help. While any of these symptoms may indicate anorexia, only a trained professional can make an accurate diagnosis.

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Category:

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Tags:

• HealthBeauty
• recognizing
• signs
• symptoms
• anorexia
• anorexic
• knowing
• tell
• eating
• disorders
• daughter

[ArmadylGodSwordsmen]

Ask your friend if they've missed their periods:

Um.... hey... yeah.. you had your period this month yet... er....????

AWKWARD

[lyle61]

my best friend sees this as "how to make sure people don't find out your anorexic so hide these signs better" video.... :'(

[gwenbecky102]

this is how i am but i still eat but not as much as i used to and if i am i will never addmit to it cuss im not!

[chantip10Cool]

Hey, This is triggering.

but thanks by the way. :)

[annoyingsisterss]

anorexic happend to me when i wanted to be skinney and i would be in the hospital

[HeyItsPoiple]

Hypothyroidism ruined my life. It made me anorexic and made me cut myself...and bullied all through school....I can't lose weight and I don't eat...I usually have an orange everyday....sometimes half a sandwich too...

[1987host]

if they are willing to eat nothing and could take that pain, why dont they just eat small meals that that even though they wont get you full give enough calories to keep up and loose the same amount of weight.

[Loser047]

@lyle61 well shes not doing a very good job if you know lmao

[lalamouse77]

@madamfiction That's not anywere near true.

[lalamouse77]

@Metalitron12 you, my dear, are very ignorant.

[glitterbear27]

@2hot4yaboi

or ask him if hes gotten a period l0lz

[helloqable]

@demififteen I'm not sure it's that hard to shave off. I've got a friend who's anorexic + bulimic and she says it's annoying to shave off (especially since it covers your entire body) but not hard at all. But w/ all the razors + waxes out there no one would notice it on a girl and definitely not on a guy!

I think dramatic weight loss + mood swings are what u need 2watch out for. Not body hair; that'll tell u nothing.