Signs of bulimia

Behavioral signs and symptoms of bulimia

There are several warning signs and symptoms that a person with bulimia might exhibit. Bulimia is often tricky to diagnose however, because problem behavior may not be obvious at first glance. If you suspect that you have bulimia, or know someone that might it is important to consider all the different signs and symptoms. A person with bulimia may exhibit physical symptoms, behavioral ones and emotional ones.

Behavioral symptoms of Bulimia

Behavioral symptoms are often the most easily identified, and will be emphasized below:

• Episodes of “binge eating” where a person will consume vast quantities of food in one sitting.

• Self-induced vomiting that occurs after eating.

• Frequent trips to the bathroom after meals.

• Inappropriate and frequent use of laxatives or diuretics.

• Excessive use of diet pills.

• Amenorrhea or absence of menstruation or abnormal menstrual cycles.

• Anxious personality that consistently aspires to achieve or “overachieve.”

• Low self-esteem or poor self-identity.

• Obsession with body image, physical appearance and weight.

• excessive exercising

• Eating in secret or in hiding.

Physical symptoms of Bulimia

There are numerous physical signs that can also help diagnose a bulimic patient:

• Among the more common is a dental exam, which may show excessive decay or gum infections including gingivitis.

• Some patients with long term purging behaviors may have holes in their teeth, as the enamel of the teeth have eroded over time. Pitting is common in bulimic patients.

• A chemical examination might reveal that the person has an electrolyte imbalance or is chronically dehydrated.

• Frequent fatigue may also be common in patients with bulimia.

• A “chipmunk” like appearance, which may include swelling of the cheeks, face or salivary glands.

• Vomit smell on the breath frequently.

• Scratches of discoloration of the knuckles due to vomiting.

• Frequent complaints of stomach pain or discomfort.

• Amenorrhea (lack of menstrual periods).

• Excessive edema (swelling) usually associated with dehydration.

What to Watch For If You Suspect Bulimia

If someone you know might have bulimia, there are several clues you may look for to confirm or disprove your diagnosis:

• Eating a large amount of food frequently without gaining weight.

• Disappearance of large amounts of food.

• Trash bags full of empty wrappers or other food items indicating a binge.

• Odor of vomit on the person.

• Frequent trips to the bathroom after meals, or the person unexpectedly leaving after a meal.

• Strenuous exercise program.

Emotional signs and symptoms

Other behavioral signs that might be less obvious include a low self esteem, withdrawal from peer groups, discomfort around food, or behaviors that suggest frequent dieting and purging. Someone with bulimia may seem overly concerned with food, caloric intake and eating. They may talk about eating and other dietary matters more frequently than not.

Some other signs you might watch for include depression and anxiety. A person with bulimia might withdraw from you and engage in behavior that seems secretive. They may stop associating with their peers.

Most people with bulimia are also pre-occupied with their body weight, with weight loss and with controlling food. If you or someone you know frequently demonstrates a combination of these behaviors, it is possible that bulimia is the culprit. If you suspect someone has bulimia, you can encourage them to seek help in order to recover fully.