Some early symptoms of anorexia are low self-esteem, feelings of lack of control, and distorted body image. Some middle symptoms would be decreased scalp hair, increased facial and body hair, fatigue, eating alone, compulsive behavior, and anxiety. Some crucial symptoms of anorexia would be an emaciated appearance, feeling of control over body, fear of food, malnutrition, mood swings, joint pain, and denial of a problem.
Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder that is characterized by binge eating and purging a large amount of food in a short period of time. This is done by vomiting, laxative, diuretics, and/or excessive. Bulimia is considered to be less life threatening than anorexia, but the occurrence of bulimia is higher. This disorder is nine times more likely to occur in women than men. The onset of bulimia is often during adolescence. The majority of the people with this disorder are at a normal weight. They are also linked with having impulsive behaviors of over spending and sexual behaviors as well as having a family history of alcohol, substance abuse, and mood/eating disorders.
Symptoms of bulimia include gastric reflux, dehydration, infertility, peptic ulcers, severe dental erosion, and calluses or scars on the back of the hands.
Psychologically people use these disorders to help them feel in control of something, as there is something in their life that they have no control over.