Anorexia nervosa (also called anorexia) is an extreme fear of gaining weight and involves self-starvation, or limiting the amount of food eaten, in order to lose weight.

These are the most common signs of anorexia:

• Quick weight-loss
• Obsessing over food, body shape, weight or appearance
• Counting calories, constant dieting or avoiding food groups (like carbohydrates or fruits)
• Saying they’ve eaten when they haven’t or hiding uneaten food
• Over-exercising or not taking rest days from exercise
• Intense fear of gaining weight
• Seeing themselves as overweight when they’re actually underweight
• An obsession with their self-image, constantly checking their weight or reflection in the mirror
• Avoiding food even when hungry
• Emotions like guilt and shame around eating
• For girls, menstruation stops occurring

Bulimia is an eating disorder that involves eating a large amount of food in a short time, also called binge-eating. After bingeing, bulimia will cause someone to get rid of the food, either through vomiting, over-exercising, using laxatives, diet pills or diet teas, or not eating for a long period of time to make up for it. This is called purging.

• Going to the bathroom during or right after meals
• Rapid weight gain or loss
• Purging after eating, either by vomiting, using laxatives or appetite suppressants
• Feeling depressed, anxious or guilty after eating
• Fasting, counting calories or avoiding food groups (like carbohydrates or fruits)
• Obsessing over eating, food, body shape and weight
• Over-exercising
• Intense fear of gaining weight
• Hiding food or eating it in private

Eating disorders can have very serious implications on someone’s mental and physical health. Because the body requires food in order to get all the nutrients, people who struggle with eating disorders are missing many vitamins they need to keep their body functioning. The consequences can be issues such as dehydration or organ failure and can lead to long lasting health complications such as diabetes or heart problems. Eating disorders are all treatable.

If you notice an unhealthy obsession with your weight or appearance, and are taking dangerous steps to lose weight, talk to someone you trust about it, like a parent. Bring it up with your doctor at your next appointment. It’s much easier to treat an eating disorder if you have support from others. You don’t have to do it alone.