Hyperactivity .
Frequent illnesses. Physical problems can include anemia, heart palpitations, bone loss, and tooth decay. Life-threatening problems include suicide, heart attacks, and kidney failure. .
Possible warning signs of anorexia include:.
Self-starvation and weight loss .
Intense fear of getting fat .
Turning away food .
Denying that one is hungry .
Constant exercise .
New or greater hair growth on the body and face .
Sensitivity to cold .
Absent or irregular menstrual periods .
Loss of hair on the head .
Complaining that one is too fat when obviously too thin .
Treatment for anorexia must take into account both psychological and physical problems. The treatment team should include a mental-health professional and a primary care doctor. Successful treatment usually includes continuous medical care, regular therapy, nutritional counseling, and sometimes medication. Though antidepressants can be used to treat eating disorders, they are not always effective for anorexia. Doctors should pay attention to bone loss and heart function. Psychologists can help a person let go of self-destructive thoughts and behaviors and adopt a more positive outlook. Support groups of other recovering anorexics -- when properly moderated by a mental-health professional -- can also be very helpful. .
Bulimia, like anorexia nervosa, is an eating disorder. Both begin as a psychological problem, but over time, they can bring very serious physical effects on the body and can even be fatal. But while there are some similarities between these two eating disorders, they are separate problems. If you have anorexia, it's likely you will slowly starve yourself to lose weight, and you may even use other methods to try to help you lose even more. But if you have bulimia, you do eat -- and sometimes much more than usual in a short time, which is called a binge. Then you purge, or make yourself vomit or use diet pills, laxatives, or diuretics to keep all that food from making you gain weight.
