1. Do Detective Work
Eating disorders escalate into extremes that threaten health and well-being. Pay attention to warning signs, because if you detect an eating disorder early, you may save lives. Seeing stick-thin models on TV and in magazines and hearing constant dieting conversations among peers creates pressure and stress, especially for teens. The message is clear: Keep your weight down so you measure up to the "ideal" image. Teens who seem preoccupied with counting calories, extreme exercise and constant weighing may struggle with eating disorders. Dental check-ups may reveal tooth damage from eating disorders, as regular vomiting causes stomach acids to eat away at the enamel on teeth.
2. Watch for Anxious Anorexia
Look for signs of anorexia when you suspect a loved one has an eating disorder. Cracked and chipped fingernails, dry scaly skin and thinning hair may point to anorexia. Anorexics make up constant excuses for why they won't eat. She may lie and say she's not hungry because she just ate a big meal. He may say he's on a spiritual fast. If you're serving meat, she may say she's just become a vegetarian. Anorexics are always "dieting," yet are extremely thin. You may never see this person eat. What little she eats is eaten in secret. Anorexia makes her feel she's doing something wrong if she enjoys a meal. Anorexics pull away from social gatherings, prefer alone time and therefore have a hard time maintaining relationships. Young women may stop menstruating when battling anorexia.
3. Recognize the Bulimia Battle
Bulimics may carry endless supplies of breath mints to mask vomit breath. Bulimics may go to the bathroom immediately after eating to force vomiting, as they vomit many times a day. Some eat huge meals (binge) and immediately vomit it all back up (purge). Not all bulimics follow the binge and purge cycle, though. Some don't vomit regularly, and instead use laxatives daily, and even become addicted to them.
4. Monitor Binge Eating
Binge eating is different from the binge and purge cycle. Most binge eaters are quite overweight, maybe obese. Binge eaters are emotional eaters and eat when they are depressed, confused, sad, happy, lonely or stressed. Binge eaters eat until they can't hold another bite and may stuff themselves daily. Ironically, binge eaters never feel satisfied. You may detect a binge eater when you see her experiment with many different diets, yet never lose any weight. Binge eaters may go through times of excessive exercise and feel guilty when the weight doesn't come off. Many binge eaters sneak food and are "closet eaters."
