DO YOU OR A LOVED ONE SUFFER FROM AN EATING DISORDER?

Eating - disordered individuals will often display the following characteristics:

1. A person that seems to be dependent on others for approval. (They don't know that he or she is valuable from within.)
2. This person will speak about themselves in a negative way. (They reflect an attitude in which they believe their self worth is dependent on a low weight.)
3. Women can lose their menstrual cycle. Males are more likely to experience reduced sex drive.
4. There will be a constant concern with one's weight and body size.
5. An abnormal fear of eating a variety of food, eating with others or eating in front of others.
6. Eating at odd times of the day, and/or eating extremely large or small amounts of food.
7. Sleep could be abnormal. This person could be unable to sleep for extended periods of time, for more than two hours a night, or will sleep a great part of the day.
8. A desperate need to exercise for long periods of time, well beyond that which is healthy.
9. One may lie or steal.
10. An increase in activities and/or frequent use of the bathroom, including numerous showers. Chronic intestinal problems will result in habitual use of the toilet.
11. A rapid change in weight and/or appearance exhibited by fluctuation in weight and attempts to hide the body from other's awareness with overly-large clothing.