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Although the term eating is in the name, eating disorders are about more than food. They are complex mental health conditions that often require the intervention of medical and psychological experts to alter their course.
Eating disorders are a range of psychological conditions that cause unhealthy eating habits to develop. They might start with an obsession with food, body weight, or body shape. In severe cases, eating disorders can cause serious health consequences and may even result in death if left untreated.
Eating disorders can affect people of any age or gender, but rate are higher young among women. In the United States alone, an estimated 20 million women and 10 million men have or have had an eating disorder at some point in their life. As well as an estimated 13% of youth experience at least one eating disorder by the age of 20.
Eating disorders are a group of related conditions that cause serious emotional and psychical problems. Each condition involves extreme food and weight issues; however, each has unique symptoms that separate it from the others.
Here are some general warning signs and symptoms:
There are several types of eating disorders, each with different symptoms. The most common types of eating disorders include:
Anorexia nervosa is likely the most well-known eating disorder.
It generally develops in adolescence or young adulthood and tends to affect women more than men.
People with anorexia generally view themselves as overweight, even if they're dangerously underweight. They will deny themselves food to the point of self-starvation as they obsess over weight loss. They tend to constantly monitor their weight, avoid eating certain types of foods, and severely restrict their calories.
Emotional symptoms of anorexia include:
Obsessive-compulsive symptoms are often also present. For instance, many people with anorexia are preoccupied with constant thoughts about food.
Anorexia can take a heavy physical toll. Very low food intake and inadequate nutrition causes a person to become very thin. The body is forced to slow down to conserve energy causing irregularities or loss of menstruation, constipation and abdominal pain, irregular heart rhythms, low blood pressure, dehydration, and sleep problems.
In severe cases, anorexia can result in heart, brain, or multi-organ failure and death.
Bulimia nervosa is another commonly known eating disorder.
Like anorexia, bulimia tends to develop during adolescence and early adulthood and appears to be less common among men than women.
People living with bulimia will feel out of control when binging on very large amounts of food during short periods of time, then desperately try to rid themselves of the extra calories. This becomes a repeating cycle that controls many aspects of the person's life and has a very negative effect both emotionally and physically. People living with bulimia are usually a normal weight or even a bit overweight.
Each binge eating episode usually continues until the person becomes painfully full. During a binge, the person usually feels that they cannot stop eating or control how much they are eating.
Individuals with bulimia then attempt to purge to compensate for the calories consumed and relieve gut discomfort. Common purging behaviors include forced vomiting, fasting, laxatives, diuretics, and excessive exercise.
Common symptoms of bulimia nervosa include:
Like anorexia, bulimia will inflict physical damage. The binging and purging can severely harm the parts of the body involved in eating and digesting food, teeth are damaged by frequent vomiting, and acid reflux is common. Excessive purging can cause dehydration that effects the body's electrolytes and leads to cardiac arrhythmias, heart failure, and even death.
A person with BED losses control over their eating and eats a very large amount of food in a short period of time. They may also eat large amounts of food when they aren't hungry or after they are uncomfortably full. This causes them to feel embarrassed, disgusted, depressed, or guilty about their behavior. A person with BED, after an episode of binge eating, does not attempt to purge or excessively exercise like someone living with anorexia or bulimia would. A person with binge eating disorder may be normal weight, overweight, or obese.
Eating disorders are very complex conditions, and scientists are still learning about the causes. Although eating disorders all have food and weight issues in common, most experts now believe that eating disorders are caused by people attempting to cope with overwhelming feelings and painful emotions by controlling food. Unfortunately, this will eventually damage a person's physical and emotional health, self-esteem, and sense of control.
Factors that may be involved in developing an eating disorder include:
People with first degree relatives, siblings or parents, with an eating disorder appear to be more at risk of developing one too. This suggests a genetic link.
Cultural pressures that idealize a particular body type place undue pressure on people to achieve unrealistic standards. Popular culture and media images often tie specific body types to popularity, success, beauty, and happiness.
With young people, this can be a very powerful force. Pressure can appear in the form of teasing, bullying, or ridicule because of size or weight. A history of physical or sexual abuse can also contribute to some people developing an eating disorder.
Perfectionism, impulsive behavior, and difficult relationships, can all contribute to lowering a person's self-esteem and make them vulnerable to developing an eating disorder.
A person with an eating disorder will have the best recovery outcome if they receive an early diagnosis. If an eating disorder is believed to be an issue, a doctor will usually preform a physical examination, conduct an interview, and order lab tests. These will help form the diagnosis and check for related medical issues and complications.
In addition, a mental health professional will conduct a psychological evaluation. They may ask questions about eating habits, behaviors, and beliefs. There may also be questions about a patient's history of dieting, exercise, binging, and purging.
Symptoms must meet the criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) in order to warrant a diagnosis. Each eating disorder has its own diagnostic criteria that a mental health professional will use to determine which disorder is involved. It is not necessary to have all the criteria for a disorder to benefit from working with a mental health professional on food and eating issues.
Often a person with an eating disorder will have symptoms of another mental health condition that requires treatment. Whenever possible, it is best to identify and address all conditions at the same time. This gives the person comprehensive treatment and support that helps insure a lasting recovery.
Eating disorders are managed using a variety of techniques. Treatments will vary depending on the type of disorder, but will generally include the following:
Such as talk therapy or behavioral therapy.
Such as antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs. Many people living with an eating disorder often have a co-occurring illness like depression or anxiety, and while there is no medication to treat eating disorders themselves, many people find that these medications help with underlying issues.
These are also crucial. Family-based treatment is especially important for families with children and adolescents because it enlists the families' help to better insure healthy eating patterns, and increase awareness and support.
Eating disorders are mental health conditions that require treatment. They can also be damaging to the body if left untreated.
If you have an eating disorder or know someone that might have one, seek help from a health care professional.
National Eating Disorder Association helpline: 1-800-931-2237