What are the effects of anorexia and bulimia?

5 Comments

1. Braino says:

   July 5, 2009 at 4:29 pm

   [edit] Psychological
   Distorted body image
   Poor insight
   Self-evaluation largely, or even exclusively, in terms of their shape and weight
   Pre-occupation or obsessive thoughts about food and weight
   Perfectionism
   OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder)

   [edit] Emotional
   Low self-esteem and self-efficacy
   Clinical depression or chronically low mood
   Intense fear about becoming overweight
   Moodiness or ‘mood swings’

   [edit] Interpersonal and social
   Poor or deteriorating school performance, however in some anorexics this is not present due to their perfectionistic tendencies
   Withdrawal from previous friendships and other peer-relationships
   Deterioration in relationships with the family

   [edit] Physical
   Extreme weight loss
   Endocrine disorder, leading to cessation of periods in girls (amenorrhea)
   Starvation symptoms, such as reduced metabolism, slow heart rate (bradycardia), hypotension, hypothermia and anemia
   Growth of lanugo hair over the body
   Abnormalities of mineral and electrolyte levels in the body
   Zinc deficiency
   Often a reduction in white blood cell count
   Reduced immune system function
   Body mass index less than 17.5 in adults, or 85% of expected weight in children
   Possibly with pallid complexion and sunken eyes
   Creaking joints and bones
   Collection of fluid in ankles during the day and around eyes during the night
   Constipation
   Very dry/chapped lips due to malnutrition
   Poor circulation, resulting in common attacks of ‘pins and needles’ and purple extremities
   In cases of extreme weight loss, there can be nerve deterioration, leading to difficulty in moving the feet
   Headaches, due to malnutrition
   Thinning of the hair
   Nails become more brittle
   Constantly feeling “cold”
   Bruise easily
   Dry skin

   [edit] Behavioral
   Excessive exercise, food restriction
   Fainting
   Secretive about eating or exercise behaviour
   Possible self-harm, substance abuse or suicide attempts
   Very sensitive to references about body weight
   Become very angry when forced to eat “forbidden” foods

   Your friend sgould speak to parwnts or a counsellor.
2. kedrick g says:

   July 6, 2009 at 1:05 pm

   some of the side effects are binge eating , blackouts , lose of hair due to malnutrition are just a few along with loss of energy
3. Trish says:

   July 7, 2009 at 4:36 am

   ok well… (this is in no order)
   they will loose their hair;
   if bulimic: their teeth will rot;
   serious digestive problems;
   if bulimic: throwing up after eating will become a natural reaction so if they stop that disorder, they will continue to throw up because their body thinks that food should be thrown up (sorry if that was confusing);
   rehab is NOT free… it does matter to some people…;
   depression/low self esteem;
   can’t concentrate.. thinking becomes harder/slower;
   fatigue;
   impaired immune system;
   loss of sleep…

   that’s all i could think of right now…
4. M C says:

   July 8, 2009 at 9:15 am

   There are a lot of effects of anorexia and bulimia. I was diagnosed with Anexoria last summer and I’m better now but it was awful going through it. Some of the effects were being dizzy all the time because of being orthostatic, hair loss, being tired, getting upset more easily, and just not wanting to do things as often like hanging out with friends. I wouldn’t reccommend getting help online becuase that usually talks about numbers. Like it will say if your a certain height you should weigh however much. And that is just the scariest thought…having to weight a certain amount. The best thing to do to recover from an eating disorder is to be in treatment.
5. Jessica says:

   July 11, 2009 at 1:41 pm

   a lot of anorexics are depressed and even when their calorie intake is dangerously low they still feel like they failed. it gets to the point where ANYTHING in their stomachs feels like too much. and they feel like they need to work harder to achieve their goals. they have this image when they look at themselves and they see a fat person, but its really just a mind game. They dont see themselves how everyone else sees them when they look at them. people who have bulimia usually have very rotted teeth because of the stomach acid that they are throwing up. They can at times throw up blood from making their esophagus raw. anorexics most commonly die from heart attacks and heart failure because when you are anorexic your body needs energy from food, but if you arent eating enough your body uses alternative sources to get energy such as your fat, and muscle. your heart is a very very important muscle in your body im sure you know and their hearts weaken from having to run the entire body. anorexia causes your bones to become brittle and fracture easier than if you were heathly, your nails become weak and break or come off. your hair falls out in large amounts, you start to get little hairs all over your body to keep your body warm because you have no meat on your bones you are always freezing cold. I’m very sorry about whoever is going through this. its horrible, ive been through it. it takes a lot of time to recover though so try to be patient. good luck : )