Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are common behavioral conditions characterized by discomfort towards food and one’s body. The conditions cause severe stress and harm to one’s mental and physical health. Eating disorders are much more common in females as opposed to male, affecting 2-3% of women over their lifetime according to John Hopkins University. Eating disorders are still very much experienced by men, with 10 percent of cases found in men. The most common onset age for the disorder is between 12-25.
Anorexia Nervosa
One of the most known eating disorders, anorexia is connected with body image issues. The disorder is characterized by constant fear and worry about gaining weight and how one looks. There are two subtypes of anorexia: a "restrictive" subtype and a "binge-purge" subtype.
Symptoms
Symptoms of anorexia include but are not limited to
Extremely restricted eating
Extreme thinness (emaciation)
A relentless pursuit of thinness and unwillingness to maintain a normal or healthy weight
An intense fear of gaining weight
A distorted body image, a
Heavily influenced self-esteem by perceptions of body weight and shape
Other more severe symptoms may develop over time, including:
Thinning of the bones (osteopenia or osteoporosis)
Mild anemia and muscle wasting/weakness
Brittle hair and nails, growth of fine hair all over the body (lanugo)
Dry and yellowish skin
Severe constipation
Low blood pressure
Slowed breathing and pulse
Damage to the structure and function of the heart,
Drop in internal body temperature, causing a person to feel cold and in turn lethargic and sluggishness
Binge Eating Disorder
It’s important to understand that not all eating disorders involve wanting to lose weight. Binge eating disorder involves binges, where a person eats an excessive amount of food in a sitting. Binges are an uncontrollable and undesired behavior.
Symptoms
Symptoms of binge eating disorder include but are not limited to:
Eating unusually large amounts of food in a specific amount of time, such as a 2-hour period
Eating even when full or not hungry
Eating until uncomfortably full
Eating fast during binge episodes
Eating alone or in secret to avoid embarrassment,
Feeling distressed, ashamed, or guilty about eating habits
Frequently dieting, possibly without weight loss
Bulimia
Bulimia is a type of eating disorder categorized by an extreme binge of over-eating and self-induced vomiting or purging afterward in the hopes of avoiding weight gain. The disorder is heavily associated with an excessive concern for one’s body weight. The disorder’s unhealthy cycle of binging and purging can take a dangerous toll on the body, damaging one’s gums, teeth, digestive system, and even the heart.
Symptoms
Symptoms of Bulimia include but are not limited to:
Chronically inflamed and sore throat
Swollen salivary glands in the neck and jaw area
Worn tooth enamel and increasingly sensitive and decaying teeth as a result of exposure to stomach acid
Acid reflux disorder and other gastrointestinal problems
Intestinal distress and irritation from laxative abuse
Severe dehydration from purging of fluids
Electrolyte imbalance (too low or too high levels of sodium, calcium, potassium, and other minerals)
Other common ED
Pica eating disorder: Causes one to crave and eat things that are not food such as ice, crayons, or even metal.
ARFID (Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder): The individual develops a taste for certain colors and textures.
Rumination disorder: An eating disorder in which one regurgitates previously eaten food, re-chews it, then swallows it again or spits it out.
Any individual with an eating disorder is strongly advised to confide in a trusted adult or peer and seek professional treatment to begin a road toward recovery.
Treatment
Treatment and eventual recovery from eating disorders is possible.
Common treatment options are often therapy such as individual, group, and/or family psychotherapy, medical care, nutritional counseling, and prescribing medication.
A helpful tool in dealing with but not eliminating the disorder is meditation. Practicing mindfulness through meditation exercises is a successful way to help deal with the stress of eating. Find yourself a calm and quiet environment and focus on your slowing your breathing. A simple exercise can be found here.
It’s also important when dealing with an eating disorder to surround oneself with family and friends. When suffering from an eating disorder, it can be very stressful to function or feel normal. So, it’s crucial to welcome, reach out for, and accept the guidance and love from family and friends.
Ted Ed video on: Eating Disorders
Sources used:
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/eating-disorders
*We are not medical professionals, we are simply here to raise awareness*