This also could be evidence of the impact that family dysfunction could have in this area. Electrolyte deficiencies can arise that may cause nausea, fainting, muscle cramps, and damage to the heart muscle. In the worse case scenario, the cardiac muscle will cease functioning and death will occur. Other organs, such as the liver or kidney, may be damaged. With bulimics or purging anorexics, the esophagus may become irritated or ruptured.
Laxative abuse can lead to irritable bowel disease or create an addiction to laxatives.
Vitamin and mineral deficiencies can emerge from starvation or purging that can bring about problems with eyesight, skin, hair loss, osteoporosis, or easily fractured bones. The longer this disorder prevails, the more likely that some undesirable medical consequence will occur. From a psychological perspective it can sometimes be difficult to decipher what problems have arisen as a result of the eating disorder verses what psychological conditions might have been a precursor to the development of anorexia or bulimia. This is particularly true with the most prevalent psychological state, depression. With severe nutritional imbalances and starvation, depression is a general consequence.