• Bulimia is an emotional disorder characterized by episodes of binge eating followed by some form of purging or restriction. Binges are the secretive, rapid consumption of high-caloric foods over a discrete period of time followed by self-induced vomiting, use of laxatives or diuretic abuse, fasting, or strenuous exercising.
• Researchers estimate that as many as 20-30% of college-age women may display bulimic behaviors. Bulimia tends to develop in late adolescence and early adulthood.

Warning Signs

• Exhibit concern about their weight and make attempts to control weight by diet, vomiting or laxative and diuretic abuse.
• Depressive moods and self-deprecating thoughts following a binge
• May be accompanied by other impulsive behaviors such as shoplifting and/or alcohol and drug abuse.

• Anorexia Nervosa is an emotional disorder characterized by severe weight loss (or failure to gain weight in young people). Laymen may see it as "dieting gone wild." Individuals with anorexia nervosa have an intense fear of becoming obese, even as weight loss progresses.

• Studies suggest 1 in 250 young women may be suffering from anorexia nervosa. Age of onset varies, though symptoms of anorexia nervosa usually appears in early-to-middle adolescence

• Loss of 20-25% of body weight
• Avoiding meals, taking an unusually long time to eat during meals by cutting food into little pieces or by claiming to be full
• Distorted image of own body – claiming to be fat, when actually quite thin
• Obsessive dieting
• Regular strenuous exercise in order to lose weight
• Secret binging followed with purging by throwing up or using laxatives

• Binge eating disorder is characterized by frequent episodes of eating abnormally large amounts of food -- ten times or more what is considered average. Binge eating occurs at least 2 days a week for six months.
• Binge eating is not followed by purging behavior (as described for bulimia and anorexia nervosa)
• Binge eating disorder is found in about 2 percent of the general population, and more often in women than men.

Warning Signs:

• eating much more rapidly than normal
• eating until feeling uncomfortably full
• eating large amounts of food when not feeling physically hungry
• eating alone because of feeling embarrassed by how much one is eating
• feeling disgusted with one's self, depressed, and very guilty after overeating

Some Physical Problems Associated With Eating Disorders

• Cessation of menstruation
• Chronic kidney problems
• Irregular heart rhythms
• Erosion of tooth enamel and increased cavities
• Lightheadedness and dizziness or fainting
• Sensitivity to cold
• Dry skin and thinning scalp hair
• Stomach and intestinal problems
• Mortality rate is 5-15% (lower with treatment)