Often unable to control their food intake, they hide their eating habits. Secret starving, binge eating or the purging of food are all common, as are the psychological anxiety, depression, guilt and shame which accompany eating disorders. Obesity, bulimia and anorexia have reached epidemic proportions. Despite the fact that tens of millions of people suffer from eating disorders, many are unaware of the health symptoms and risks which are unique to each. Many victims of such disorders are psychologically unable or unwilling to seek available treatment.
Many people try to diagnose an eating disorder without professional help.
While these and other symptoms are common, many other symptoms will be unrecognized by anyone other than a professional eating disorder specialist. Only your doctor or a specialist should diagnose an eating disorder. Recovering Eating disorders are treatable. You can really feel good about yourself again. Learning to recognize the symptoms of your particular eating disorder, or that of a family member, is an important learning process which is best guided by an appropriate professional.