Anorexia nervosa
A psychological disorder in which sufferers have a distorted view of their own body weight, and deliberately starve themselves of food.

• Causes
  Scientists have studied personalities, environment, biochemistry and genetics looking for causes of eating disorders. There are no firm conclusions, but certain personality traits are common in people suffering from Anorexia - low self-esteem, isolating themselves socially, and a perfectionist attitude. These people tend to be good students. Anorexia tends to run in families and mostly affects females.

• Signs and Symptoms
  Physical symptoms :
  Weight loss
  Periods stopping
  Insomnia
  Dizzy spells
  Stomach pains
  
  Behavioural and psychological signs :
  Wanting to be left alone
  Wearing big baggy clothes
  Excessive exercising
  Intense need for control of situations
  Depression
  Obsession with diet
  Mood swings
  Distorted perception of body size

Bulimia Nervosa
This disorder causes people to binge eat or gorge themselves and then make themselves sick or uses laxatives to get rid of food.

• Causes
  (See Anorexia Nervosa - Causes). As with Anorexia, exact causes are unknown. The pressure to be thin in Western society has its part to play.

• Signs and Symptoms
  Physical symptoms :
  Sore throat, mouth infections, damaged teeth - from constant vomiting
  Irregular periods
  Poor skin
  Stomach pains
  
  Behavioural and psychological signs :
  Being secretive
  Eating unusually large amounts of food
  Feeling ashamed and guilty
  Mood swings and depression

Treatment
Eating disorders require professional specialist treatment for both physical symptoms and the underlying psychological causes. Different therapies or combinations may be used, such as:
Counselling
Self-help and support groups
Psychotherapy; drama or arts therapy
Therapy sessions that involve the family or small groups of patients
Diet and nutritional advice

Other eating disorders
There are other eating disorders that combine symptoms of both Anorexia and Bulimia or other less known disorders such as binge eating disorder, compulsive eating and 'chew and spit' where the person chews food and spits it out rather than swallowing.

Eating Disorders Association
www.edauk.com
A national charity providing information, help and support for people affected by eating disorders.
Helpline: 01603 621414
Youth Helpline: 01603 765050