Eating
disorders are complex conditions that are caused by a
combination of biological, emotional, interpersonal and social
factors. They are not due to a failure of will or behavior. They
are very real, treatable medical illnesses.
Although
eating disorders are more common in women, they also occur in
men. As many as 10% of women and 1% of men suffer from an eating
disorder. Eating disorders often begin during high school or
college. They can interfere with self-esteem, social
interactions and performance at school or work. People who
suffer from eating disorders can experience a wide range of
physical health complications, including serious heart problems
and kidney failure which can lead to death.
Eating
disorders often co-exist with other psychiatric problems,
including depression, anxiety disorders, and substance abuse.
People with eating disorders need a comprehensive evaluation by
a mental health professional with specific training and
expertise in this area.
The major
eating disorders include anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.
Symptoms of anorexia include:
-
Resistance to maintaining body weight at or above a
minimally normal weight for a person’s age and height.
-
Intense and unrealistic fear of gaining weight or
becoming fat, even though a person is underweight.
-
Disturbance in the way one’s body weight or shape is
experienced, undue influence of body weight or shape on
self-esteem, or denial of the seriousness of the current low
body weight.
-
Infrequent or absent menstrual periods in women who have
reached puberty.
People with
anorexia see themselves as overweight even though they may be
dangerously thin. They frequently become obsessed with the
process of eating. They may develop unusual habits, such as
avoiding food and meals, selecting a few foods and eating these
in small quantities, or carefully weighing and portioning food.
People with anorexia may repeatedly check their body weight.
They may also engage in other techniques to control their weight
such as intense and compulsive exercise, or purging by means of
vomiting or abusing laxatives, enemas or diuretics.
Symptoms of bulimia include:
-
Recurrent episodes of binge eating, characterized by
eating an excessive amount of food within a discreet period
of time, and by a sense of lack of control over eating
during the episode.
-
Recurrent, inappropriate compensatory behavior in order
to prevent weight gain, such as self-induced vomiting or
misuse of laxatives, enemas, diuretics, or other
medications; fasting; or excessive exercise.
Binge
Eating Disorder (also known as compulsive overeating):
characterized by periods of uncontrolled, impulsive, or
continuous eating beyond the point of feeling comfortably full.
While there is no purging, there may be sporadic fasts or
repetitive diets and often feelings of shame or self-hatred
after a binge. People who overeat compulsively may
struggle with anxiety, depression, and loneliness, which can
contribute to unhealthy episodes of binge eating. Body
weight may vary from normal to mild, moderate, or severe
obesity.
If you or
someone you know if struggling with an eating disorder,
please contact us to speak to a counselor or other
professional.
Online Resources
Something-fishy.org
This website is dedicated to raising awareness and providing
support to people with eating disorders and their loved
ones.
Alliance for
Eating Disorder Awareness Learn about
eating disorders and the positive effects of a healthy body
image.
Mirror-Mirror Additional information
on eating disorders, myths/facts, and resources.
