With proper help, persons with an eating disorder can learn to stabilize their eating patterns, maintain a healthy weight, and become less preoccupied with food. Many Americans believe that thinner is better. People with eating disorders believe it so deeply that their weight and dieting success become the measure of their self-esteem. Thinking that eating is the cause and result of many of their problems, they become trapped in a vicious cycle of repeated ritualistic and rigid behavior focused on food. Some experts also consider compulsive overeating an eating disorder.
Anorexics are often thin to the point of emaciation, but are afraid to gain weight.
Bulimics may be of average or slightly above average weight, usually do most of their bingeing and purging secretly, and have rapid weight gains and losses. They purge through self-induced vomiting, abusing laxatives and diuretics, fasting, or overexercising, and are subject to medical problems caused by their purging methods as well as their eating habits. Medical problems include dehydration, constipation and digestive disorders, severe dental problems, and muscle weakness . As bulimia progresses, ulcers and life-threatening heart irregularities may develop. Many anorexics may periodically binge and purge like bulimics.