Eating Disorders
What is an Eating Disorder?
An eating disorder is a psychological condition that manifests itself in unhealthy eating habits. These habits fall on a continuum, from eating a healthy, balanced diet on one end, to serious eating disorders on the other end. Eating disorders have serious emotional and physical effects.
Warning Signs:
- preoccupation with body appearance or weight
- wearing baggy clothes or a change in clothing style
- trips to the bathroom after meals
- social withdrawal or isolation
- weight loss or rapid fluctuation in weight
Types of Eating Disorders:
Anorexia Nervosa- Anorexia Nervosa is an eating disorder chacterized bya refusal to maintain a healthy body weight for age and height marked by an intense fear of gaining weight- they often do not feel they are as thin as they look and have a distorted view of how they look which tends to be much bigger than they really are- to carry the diagnosis of Anorexia a woman must be absent of her monthly cycle
Restricting Type- not regularly engaged in binge-eating or purging behavior
Binge-Eating/Purging Type- regularly engages in binge-eating or purging behavior
Bulimia Nervosa- Bulimia Nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating- eating large amounts of food in a small period of time and feeling they cannot stop during this episode- they have recurrent ways of reieiving the discomfort such as self-induced vomiting, using laxatives, diuretics, enemas, or other medication- these behaviors occur at least 3 times per week- they have a distorted sense of their body image.
Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified- An eating disorder that does not fit into the above criteria
Medical Complications of Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa:
- Weakened lining of the esophagus
- Calluses on the knuckles of the hands
- Eroded teeth enamel
- Heart problems
- Electrolyte imbalances
- Lanugo (Hair growth on the skin for warmth)
- Cessation of Menses
- Loss of hair
Therapy
Forming a trusting relationship with a therapist allows complex issues to be addressed, such as anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, low self-confidence, difficulties with interpersonal relationships, body image concerns, and identity formation. Practitioners may use a particular type of therapy, or a combination of several different approaches.
Many physical complications can result from an eating disorder. Left unattended, eating disorders can lead to serious health problems or even death. It is important for a medical practitioner with experience in the area of eating disorders to monitor the physical health. Generally, physical complications of an eating disorder will resolve, once healthy eating and normal weight have been achieved. With proper treatment and control, recovery is possible.