Anorexia is an eating disorder in which people become obsessed with losing weight. They fast or eat very little, causing them to lack the necessary vitamins and nutrients necessary for proper body function. Many anorexics continue to think they are overweight even when they are drastically underweight. Besides the emotional insecurities associated with anorexia, there are also physical consequences to the disorder. Anorexics drop to an unhealthy body weight, often appearing to be just “skin and bones.” Hair and nails become dry and brittle, and the skin becomes pale and sickly. Prolonged anorexia can also play havoc with women’s menstrual cycles.

People suffering with bulimia fluctuate between periods of fasting and refusing food, followed by overeating binges. The act of overeating can cause feelings of guilt. To compensate for the binge eating, many people with bulimia will induce vomiting. Others will use laxatives, fast after the binge for an extended period, or over-exercise. This behavior is cyclical and can occur several times a week or up to several times a day. There are many physical problems that can result from bulimia including dehydration, constipation, gastric reflux, infertility, problems with the esophagus from vomiting, erosion of the teeth from gastric acid during vomiting, ulcers and more.

Bulimia can be much tougher to detect because those suffering from bulimia are very secretive about it. Most people with bulimia are of about average weight, so their physical appearance would not suggest they have an eating disorder. If you suspect a friend or family member may be suffering from bulimia there are some signs to look for: