Bulimia is an eating disorder that has similar symptoms in common with anorexia, but they have different food-related behaviors. Some risk factors for developing bulimia includes genetics, mental health, societal expectations and other issues.
Anorexia is characterized by binging, followed by methods to avoid weight gain. Binging means consuming large amounts of food very quickly, even when you’re not hungry, and to the point where you’re uncomfortable. Methods of avoiding weight gain include vomiting (purging), taking laxatives, excessive exercise, or fasting. There are many red flags that can be noticed by loved ones, and they include:
- Talking about weight or food all the time
- Strict dieting or fasting after binge eating
- Changing weight
- Repeatedly eating unusually large quantities of food in one sitting
- Going to the bathroom right after eating
- Extreme exercise
- Having sores, scars or calluses on the knuckles or hands
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