Dangers and Complications
of Eating Disorders

Medical problems

• Irregular heartbeat, cardiac arrest, death
• Kidney damage, death
• Liver damage (made worse by substance abuse), death
• Destruction of teeth, rupture of esophagus, loss of muscle mass
• Disruption of menstrual cycle, infertility
• Weakened immune system
• Icy hands and feet
• Swollen glands in neck; stones in salivary duct. "Chipmunk cheeks."
• Excess hair on face, arms, and body.
• Dry, blotchy skin that has an unhealthy gray or yellow cast
• Anemia, malnutrition. Disruption of body's fluid/mineral balance
• Fainting spells, sleep disruption, bad dreams, mental fuzziness
• Permanent loss of bone mass, fractures and lifelong problems

Binge eating disorder adds the following:

• Increased risk of cardiovascular disease
• Increased risk of bowel, breast, and reproductive cancers
• Increased risk of diabetes
• Obesity can lead to arthritic damage to joints

Psychological problems

It is a sad paradox that the person who develops an eating disorder often began with a diet, believing that weight loss would lead to improved self-confidence, self-respect, and self-esteem. The cruel reality is that persistent under-eating, binge eating, and purging have the opposite effect. Eating disordered individuals typically struggle with one or more of the following complications:

• Depression that can lead to suicide
• Person feels out of control and helpless to do anything about problems
• Anxiety, self-doubt
• Guilt and shame
• Hyper-vigilant. Suspects others of wanting to interfere
• Terrified of discovery
• Obsessive thoughts and preoccupations
• Compulsive behaviors. Rituals dictate most activities
• Feels alienated and lonely. "I don't fit in anywhere."
• Feels hopeless. May give up and sink into fatalism or denial

Important: Eating disorders are treatable, and people do recover from them. The above complications, or threat of them developing, should encourage people to seek treatment, not give up and sink into despair. Sooner is better than later. The sooner treatment is begun, the sooner the person can develop personal strength and begin to create a life worth living.

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