They are often experience depression, irritability, and mood swings. Women anorexics will experience irregular, or loss of menstruation. Anorexics will frequently check their weight on scales, and will have fainting spells and dizziness. They will have a pale complexion, headaches, and a perfectionist attitude. Anorexics will often have feelings of self worth that are determined by what is or isn't eaten. .
Anorexia nervosa can also lead to physical and medical complications. Anorexia can cause fatigue and lack of energy. It can also cause loss of menstruation, and skin problems. Dizziness, headaches, and dehydration also can occur. Shortness of breath, irregular heartbeats, and cold hands and feet are often side effects of anorexia nervosa. Anorexia can cause bloating, constipation, and hair loss. There is a loss of bone mass, decrease in metabolic rate, and stomach pains associated with anorexia. Long term effects like kidney and liver damage, electrolyte imbalances, and osteoporosis can occurred. Cardiac arrest and death are also results of anorexia nervosa. .
Bulimia nervosa is another major eating disorder. 1.1 percent to 4.2 percent of females have bulimia nervosa at some point in their life. Bulimia is characterized by a cycle of binge eating followed by purging to try and get rid of unwanted calories. A binge means different things to different bulimics. For one person a binge may be 1,000 calories, but for another a binge may be 10,000 calories. Methods of purging can also vary. Methods usually involve vomiting, and laxative abuse. Other forms of purging include excessive exercise, fasting, and the use of diuretics, diet pills, and enemas. Bulimics usually are people who don't feel secure about their own self worth. They often strive for other people's approval, and hide their own feelings. Food tends to become a form of comfort for bulimics. Unlike anorexics, bulimics tend to realize that they have a problem, and are more likely to seek they help that they need.
