Eating Disorders
What are Eating Disorders?
Eating Disorders are disturbances in eating behaviors as well as feelings of distress and extreme concern about body image and weight. These disorders involve unhealthy patterns of eating such as extreme reduction of food intake or severe patterns of overeating sometimes followed by purging (using methods to rid oneself of food taken in).
There are three main Eating Disorders: Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia, and Binge Eating Disorder.
Eating Disorders may have serious and potentially life-threatening consequences including electrolyte imbalances in the body and serious heart conditions which could lead to cardiac arrest.
Eating disorders frequently co-occur with other mental illnesses such as:
- Depression
- Substance abuse
- Anxiety disorders
According to the US Department of Health and Human Services on Women’s Health, most eating disorders begin between the ages of 12 and 25 years old. However, increasing numbers of older women and men have eating disorders. Females are much more likely than males to develop an eating disorder. The National Institute for Mental Health estimates that 5 to 15 per cent of people with anorexia or bulimia are male and an estimated 35 per cent of those with binge eating disorder are male.
Main Categories of Eating Disorders
Anorexia Nervosa
People with Anorexia drastically reduce their intake of food. They also have unusual eating habits such as:
- Avoiding meals
- Eating a few foods in small amounts
- Weighing foods
- Counting calories of everything that they eat
They may also weigh themselves constantly and engage in excessive exercise to control their weight.
Bulimia Nervosa
Symptoms of Bulimia include frequent episodes of eating excessive amounts of food and then almost immediately vomiting and/or using laxatives or diuretics in order to rid their bodies of the food. These behaviors are performed in secrecy and include feelings of disgust and shame at bingeing, followed by relief when purging.
Health consequences related to bulimia include:
- Inflammation of the esophagus
- Tooth decay and staining
- Peptic ulcers
- Electrolyte imbalances
Binge Eating Disorder
Binge Eating Disorder is not associated with purging behaviors, but the binges are associated with at least three of the following:
- Eating more rapidly than normal
- Eating until feeling uncomfortably full
- Eating large amounts of food when not feeling physically hungry
- Eating alone because of embarrassment of the amount of food eaten
- Feeling disgusted and guilty after overeating
Health consequences of binge eating disorder include:
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
What Causes Eating Disorders?
Many theories exist regarding what causes Eating Disorders, but they do appear to be affected by:
- Psychological factors
- Emotional factors
- Social factors
- Genetic predisposition to mood disorders
- Family dynamics
Society values and media promote thinness. Television, fashion magazines and movies clearly value thinness and the idea of having a perfect body. They promote the idea that one must be thin in order to be liked and recognized.
Unstable family relationships contribute to eating problems. Often emotions are not dealt with effectively or directly within families, and individuals develop poor coping skills for managing stress and overwhelming feelings. They sometimes turn to their bodies as a focus for control.
Individuals with Eating Disorders have a poor sense of self and low self-esteem. They attempt to master emotions and gain a sense of control by achieving a perfect ideal of thinness because they believe that being thin will lead to happiness.
Warning signs of eating disorders are:
- A marked increase or decrease in weight not related to a medical condition
- The development of abnormal eating habits such as severe dieting, preference for strange foods, withdrawn or ritualized behavior at mealtime or secretive bingeing
- An intense preoccupation with weight and body image
- Compulsive or excessive exercising
- Self-induced vomiting, periods of fasting, or laxative, diet pill or diuretic abuse
- Feelings of isolation, depression or irritability
- Loss of menstrual periods
- Intense fear of weight gain and of being "fat"
- Feeling "fat" despite dramatic weight loss
How Can Eating Disorders Be Treated?
Eating disorders require comprehensive treatment plans due to their complexity. They require a range of interventions such as:
- Individual psychotherapy
- Group therapy
- Family or marital therapy
Psychotherapy addresses psychological disturbances such as body image, low self- esteem, and interpersonal conflicts. Additionally, the following can be effective:
- Nutritional rehabilitation and counseling
- Psychosocial interventions
- Medication management strategies
With Anorexia, sometimes the initial goal of treatment includes ensuring a healthy weight. This may require medical treatment such as hospitalization. Once malnutrition has been corrected and weight gain has begun, individual psychotherapy and family therapy can help people overcome low self esteem and address distorted thought and behavior patterns. Supportive therapy and self-help groups may follow to provide ongoing support in the community.
Additional Information about Eating Disorders
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/eatingdisorders.cfm
NIMH is an agency of the United States government, which does research on mental illnesses. This site outlines a description of eating disorders, treatment strategies and research findings.
SAMHSA'S National Mental Health Information Center
http://www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/KEN98-0047/default.asp
This site describes the symptoms and medical problems that can arise as a result of eating disorders. It also includes sites for referral to eating disorder specialists.
National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA)
http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org
The largest non-for-profit organization is the U.S. aimed at preventing eating disorders and providing treatment referrals.
EDA Eating Disorders Anonymous
http://www.eatingdisordersanonymous.org
The web site of this 12-step fellowship provides support for all struggling with an eating disorder. Free literature is available.
|
