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The Signs and Symptoms of Bulimia

Behavioural Signs

Repeatedly avoiding meals
Not wanting to eat what everyone else is having
Saying “I’ll eat later”
Eating meals but extremely restless after the meal as their anxiety grows
Visits to the bathroom shortly after a meal (explaining its to have a bath or wash their hair)
Dramatic fluctuations in weight
Mysterious disappearance of food
Evidence of binge eating: actual observation, verbal report, large amounts of food missing
Discoveries of food wrappers under chair pillows, mattresses or in bedroom cupboards
Continual overdrafts, debts and missing money. Inability to account for how the money was spent
Frequent weighing
Talking about new diets and expressing the desire to be thinner
General dissatisfaction with appearance and figure. Expressing the wish to change
Evidence of purging (vomiting, laxative/diuretic abuse, emetics, frequent fasting, excessive exercise)
Impromptu walks (often to buy food)
Night owl behaviour (so they can binge once everyone has gone to bed)
Increasing isolation, disinterest in social activities, work and /or study
General apathy and/or depressive outlook on life
Moodiness, irritability, depression
Low self esteem
Oversensitive to criticism
Shoplifting or stealing of food or money

Abdominal swelling and pain
Swelling of the hands, legs and feet
Swelling of the salivary (Parotid) glands around the face and jawline
Tiredness, nausea, breathlessness, dizziness
A pre-disposition to dental decay and gum disease as a result of bingeing on sugary foods, also because of vomiting

Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). This can cause: sweating; irregular heartbeats; epileptic fits; convulsions; weakness; lethargy; mental confusion; irrational behaviour; anxiety; panic attack; feelings of hunger; and depression
Mineral and Chemical Imbalance. Especially potassium and sodium are lost through vomiting, laxative or diuretic abuse. It can cause: muscular weakness; bloated feeling; lethargy; tingling/numbness in fingers and toes; confusion; poor concentration; dehydration; irregular heartbeat; low blood pressure; kidney damage; and further mineral losses.
Dental Problems. Loss of tooth enamel leading to tooth decay.
Bleeding from the upper intestinal tract
Lack of Protein
Swollen salivary (parotid) glands

References
Barbara French. (1987). Coping with Bulimia: The Binge Purge Syndrome. United Kingdom. Thorsons.