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...Warning Signs For Eating
Disorders
Michael Levine, Ph.D. Presented at the 13th National NED0 Conference,
Columbus, Ohio, October 3, 1994
(1) Preoccupation with weight, food, calories,
and dieting, to the extent that it consistently intrudes on conversations
and interferes with other activities
(2) Excessive, rigid, exercise regimen—despite
weather, fatigue, illness, and injury, the need to "burn off’ calories taken
in.
(3) Withdrawal from, or avoidance of, numerous
activities because of weight and shape concerns.
(4) Expressions of anxiety about being fat which
do not diminish as weight is lost.
(5) Evidence of self-induced (often
secretive) vomiting, such as:
Bathroom smells or messes,
Rushing to the bathroom immediately after a meal and returning with
bloodshot eyes,
Swelling of the submandibular glands to yield a "chipmunk" facial
appearance.
(6) Evidence (e.g., wrappers, advertisements,
coupons) of use of laxatives, diuretics, purgatives, enemas, or emetics.
(7) Evidence of binge-eating, including hoarding
and/or stealing food, or consumption of huge amounts of food inconsistent
with the person’s weight.
(8) Alternating periods of severely restrictive
dieting and overeating; these phasic fluctuations may be accompanied by
dramatic weight fluctuations of 10 pounds or more.
(9) Inexplicable problems with menstruation
and/or fertility.
(10) Extreme concern about appearance as a
defining feature of self-esteem, often accompanied by dichotomous,
perfectionist thinking (e.g., either I am "thin and good" or "gross and
bad").
(11) Paleness and complaints (evidence) of
lightheadedness or disequilibrium not accounted for by other medical
problems.
Characteristics
Anorexia and Bulimia
Compulsive Eater
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