Effects & Consequences of an Eating Disorder

Thinking

• Difficulty in decision making
• Pre-occupation with food
• Disinterest in hobbies and activities
• Less spontaneous

Feelings

• Easily irritated or upset
• Isolated from friends and family
• Unwilling to maintain friendships

Behaviour

• Obsessional, ritualised behaviour and routines
• Setting rigid rules around what you must not eat or must not do.
• A need to be clean and tidy or hoarding behaviour.

Heart and Circulation

• Loss of heart muscle
• Lower blood pressure and pulse
• Heart beat irregularities

Sex Hormones and Fertility

• All non-essential processes are stopped to preserve energy
• Menstrual periods may stop which could result in infertility

Bones, Muscles and Joints

• Reduction in bone strength
• Increased risk of osteoporosis and fractures
• The Muscles weaken and joints become swollen

Skin and Hair

• A downy hair covering can start to grow on the face, forearms, back and abdomen.
• Hair loss from scalp.
• Dry skin

Temperature regulation

• Reduction in body temperature, feeling cold