In females, absence of at least three consecutive menstrual cycles when expected to occur. Some anorexics may also engage in recurrent episodes of binge eating and purging with the use of laxatives, exercise or vomiting. Feeling that one cannot stop eating or control what or how much one is eating during the episode. A minimum average of 2 binge episodes a week for at least 3 months. Self-evaluation is unduly influenced by body shape and weight.
Person purges through self-induced vomiting, laxative or diuretic abuse, exercise or strict dieting.
Individuals suffering from anorexia and or bulimic can have serious medical risks. Both anorexics and bulimic suffer from serious emotional and interpersonal difficulties which are often more obvious than the medical complications. People who develop eating disorders do not do so overnight and have often led very painful lives. Often they can hide their disorder from people for many years and function quite successfully on the surface. However, underneath there is a range of painful thoughts and feelings.