About food, weight and
body image disturbances
Eating disorders are severe and painful in many different ways. These disorders are present when a person experiences severe disturbances in eating behavior, such as extreme reduction of food intake or extreme overeating, or feelings of extreme distress or concern about body weight or shape.
A person with an eating disorder may have started out just eating smaller or larger amounts of food than usual, but at some point, the urge to eat less or more spirals out of control. Eating disorders are complex and may involve several underlying psychological , social and emotional factors.
The two main types of eating disorders are Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa. A third diagnostic category is "Eating Disorders Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS)” and encompassing several variations of eating disordered behavior, including Binge-eating disorder.
Symptoms related to Anorexia may include:
- weakening of bones (osteopenia or osteoporosis)
- brittle hair and nails
- dry and pale skin
- growth of fine hair over the body (e.g., lanugo)
- anemia
- muscle weakness and loss
- severe constipation
- low blood pressure, slowed breathing and pulse
- drop in internal body temperature, causing a person to feel cold
- lethargy
Symptoms of bulimia may include:
- chronically inflamed and sore throat
- swollen glands in the neck and below the jaw
- worn tooth enamel and increasingly sensitive and decaying teeth as a result of exposure to stomach acids
- gastro esophageal reflux disorder
- gastrointestinal distress and irritation from laxative abuse
- kidney problems from diuretic abuse
- severe dehydration from purging of fluids
People with serious binge eating problems may experience:
- Frequent episodes of eating what others would consider an abnormally large amount of food.
- Frequent feelings of being unable to control what or how much is being eaten.
- Eating much more rapidly than usual.
- Eating until physically uncomfortable and full.
- Eating large amounts of food when not physically hungry.
- Feelings of disgust, depression, or guilt after overeating.
Emotional disturbances in mood maybe evident where the individual presents with depression and/or anxiety. Other areas of clinical concern commonly found are substance abuse, trauma, obsessional thinking and family conflict.
Psychological and medicinal treatments are effective for treatment of most eating disorders.
Treatment is often are tailored to the patient's individual needs that may include medical care and monitoring; medications; nutritional counseling; and individual, group and/or family psychotherapy. Some patients may also need to be hospitalized to treat malnutrition or to gain weight, or for other reasons.
Do you OR someone you love need treatment for their eating behavior?
The Quiz below may help with your decision.
ED Quiz
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