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An eating disorder is a life threatening condition that often requires professional assistance and support to overcome. If you think you have an eating disorder it is critical that you seek out the help and support you need to overcome your condition.

Beating an eating disorder can prove very rewarding and open new avenues of opportunity you never dreamed of. You will no longer be tied down by food and your emotional as well as physical health and well being will improve substantially.

HOW DO I KNOW I HAVE AN EATING DISORDER?

There are many signs and symptoms that are indicative of an eating disorder. Consider asking yourself the following questions:

- Do you obsess about food and eating?
- Do you deny yourself food at times even when you feel hungry?
- Do you often withdraw from social activities involving eating?
- Do you often feel fat even if you are not fat or overweight?
- Do you exercise excessively after meals or to the point of pain or injury?
- Do you purge (vomit) after eating?
- Do you regularly use laxatives or diuretics to control your weight?
- Do you often eat large volumes of food uncontrollably?

If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, you may have an eating disorder.

ANOREXIA AND BULIMIA

Anorexia is a type of eating disorder that is often characterized by starving oneself thin. People who are anorexic often do not allow themselves to eat more than 500 or less calories per day.
Bulimics tend to eat large quantities of food and then purge them, through vomiting or laxative use. Both anorexics and bulimics may exercise excessively. There are other types of eating disorders as well including binge eating disorder where you consume large quantities of food over and over again but don't necessarily purge.

WHERE TO GO FOR HELP

If you feel you may have an eating disorder it is vital that you seek help. Recognizing that you may have a problem is actually the first step toward recovery. The good news is you can eat a healthy and well balanced diet that doesn't require that you follow a strict or rigid routine. A flexible diet will help you remain fit and a normal weight. A nutritionist or dietician can help you develop a healthy and well balanced meal plan that is easy to follow and will help boost your spirits.

Eating disorders often result from distorted thinking about yourself, your body image and the way others perceive you. Part of recovering from an eating disorder requires that you recognize that your body isn't related to your identity and that the two are actually separate. You may need professional help distinguishing between the two and identifying the triggers that are causing you to engage in distorted eating patterns.

Many eating disorders are simply a way to mask your emotional pain. If you have an eating disorder, don't keep it a secret. Talk to friends or family members or seek assistance from your healthcare provider or an online support community. There are numerous groups online that can help you work through your emotional pain and start your journey toward healing.