Eating disorder history and symptoms

HISTORY: Eating disorders are particularly common in young females and change in weight is the main concern often expressed by the patient or a family member. Apart from a detailed history, few questions that a physician should ask include:

* Do you think you are too thin? or too fat?
* What did you eat yesterday?
* Do you ever binge eat?
* Do you use any pills for losing weight?
* Do you ever eat in secret?
* Are you satisfied with your eating habits?
* Do you make yourself sick because you feel uncomfortably full?

SYMPTOMS: The main symptom is intentional weight loss causing malnutrition and cachexia. Other symptoms include:

* abdominal discomfort
* bloating or constipation
* cold intolerance
* menstrual irregularities
* daytime hyperactivity
* insomnia
* exercise habits
* use of alcohol or drugs
* personal history of sexual assault or childhood abuse
* family history of [[depression, alcohol use.[1]

1. ↑ Herpertz S, Hagenah U, Vocks S, von Wietersheim J, Cuntz U, Zeeck A; et al. (2011). "The diagnosis and treatment of eating disorders". Dtsch Arztebl Int. 108 (40): 678–85. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2011.0678. PMC 3221424. PMID 22114627.CS1 maint: Multiple names: authors list (link)