If you are reading this article, then the chances are that either you or a beloved family member have suffered from some type of eating disorder. Did you know that in America alone, it is estimated that there are about 30 million people who struggle with eating disorders; Worldwide the figures could be close to 70 million people. These statistics show that you are not alone. There are many people worldwide who have gone through the same feelings that you have felt, and these same people, have been able to combat various eating disorders.
Do not despair there is hope.
Keep reading for more information on eating disorders and how to recover.
Eating disorders are characterized by irregular eating habits and severe distress about one’s body shape, size or weight. A person might eat too much or too little, to the extent that their own health and well being is at stake. Eating disorders affect both males and females and it can occur during any stage of life, but studies have shown that it is more likely to occur during the teen years or early adulthood. Eating disorders are treatable, it is important to treat the individual as soon as possible. If left untreated, eating disorders could be deadly. Usually, people who suffer from eating disorders might suffer from other types of mental illness too, such as anxiety, depression, OCD and substance abuse. It is very important to help the individual who is suffering from an eating disorder, recover as soon as possible.
1.What are the warning signs of an eating disorder?
Maybe you have noticed that your teenage daughter or son is eating a lot less than they did before. Could your teenager have an eating disorder? What should you look out for when it comes to eating disorders? If you notice any of these signs then perhaps it’s time to have a heart to heart with your friend or family member that you are concerned about.
Physical Symptoms:
- Fluctuations in weight that are noticeable. Either gaining weight or losing a lot of weight.
- Menstrual irregularities. Missing periods, or only having a period while on contraceptives.
- Complaints of stomach cramps, or other gastrointestinal complaints, such as constipation or acid reflux.
- Feeling dizzy
- Having a hard time concentrating
- Abnormal blood test results, such as anemia, low potassium, low hormone levels, and low white and red blood cells.
- Feeling constantly cold
- Fainting
- Sleep problems
- Dental problems such as sensitive teeth, cavities, and enamel erosion. Discoloration of teeth due to induced vomiting.
- Fine hair all over the person’s body. (Lanugo)
- Poor wound healing
- Constantly getting sick. A weak immune system.
Emotional and behavioral symptoms:
- Constant dieting
- Being constantly preoccupied about weight, food, calories, carbs, fats, and dieting.
- Refusing to eat certain foods such as carbohydrates. Restricting one’s diet severely to only certain foods.
- A person looks uncomfortable eating around others
- Food rituals, such as excessive chewing, only eating certain foods.
- Mood swings that seem to be extreme
- Isolating oneself from friends or family
- Checking the mirror constantly to look for flaws in appearance
- New practices with fad diets.
- Extreme concern about body size and shape.
If you notice any of these signs in a friend or a loved on a regular, continual basis, this should sound warning bells.
2. What is the core psychopathology of eating disorders? What do most eating disorders have in common?
When it comes to eating disorders, many studies have shown that people who suffer from low self-worth are more likely to develop eating disorders. Individuals who have eating disorders judge themselves on their eating habits and how they can control their eating patterns. Such as the amount of food that they eat, the size of their bodies and their weight. (https://www.jpsychopathol.it/issues/2014/vol20-4/14_castellini.pdf) Many of those who also develop eating disorders seem to have “severe clinical perfectionism” and low self-esteem. Many researchers are still not exactly sure what causes eating disorders, but there are a few factors that come into play. For example, genetics could play a role in being predisposed to eating disorders, ( new studies have shown that eating disorders run in families) as well as social factors, psychological factors, biological and behavioral factors, all seem to play a role in the development of eating disorders.
Examples of biological factors are:
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Genetics
- Irregular hormone functions
Examples of psychological factors are:
- Low self-esteem
- Perfectionism
- Negative body image
Examples of environmental factors include:
- Abusive and dysfunctional family dynamics
- Professions that promote being thin such as ballet or modeling
- Childhood traumas
- Stressful life changes.
It seems that these factors all seem to be linked to individuals who develop different types of eating disorders. As mentioned before the exact cause is unknown, but all these factors play a role. It is also interesting to note that brain imaging scans that have been done on women who suffer from eating disorders have different brain patterns to those who do not have eating disorders. Certain eating disorders also seem to be nonexistent in cultures that have not been exposed to the western cultural ideal of thinness.
3. Different types of eating disorders and what each entails.
Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia seems to be the most well known of the eating disorders. More women seem to develop anorexia than men. Anorexia nervosa also develops during adolescence or as a young adult. People who develop Anorexia tend to view themselves as overweight, even though they are dangerously thin. They become obsessed with what they eat and limit calories. Common symptoms of Anorexia are:
- Being dangerously underweight
- Restricted eating patterns
- A fear of gaining weight even though being severely underweight
- Denial of being underweight
People who suffer from Anorexia, also tend to have other psychological problems, such as OCD. They might have constant thoughts about food, or hoard food secretly. Anorexia can also be divided into 2 groups. Either a restricting type or a binging type. Those who restrict themselves often are concerned with losing weight through dieting and fasting. Those who binge might eat a lot or even a little, but then make themselves vomit, or use laxatives. They might even exercise excessively. Anorexia is very dangerous. Healthwise, individuals who have Anorexia, will eventually have brittle bones, become infertile and have brittle nails and hair. In severe cases of Anorexia, you could have organ failure and even death.
Bulemia Nervosa
Bulemia Nervosa is also a well-known eating disorder. Bulemia also begins in adolescents or early adulthood and is more common in women than in men. People with Bulemia tend to eat an exorbitant amount of food in a short period of time. These episodes last until the person becomes uncomfortably and painfully full. Its also interesting to note that during a binge episode, people can’t control how much they eat. People who have Bulemia, often binge on foods that they would normally not eat. Once they have eaten to the point of feeling painfully full, they will then purge, to expel their stomach contents. They could either do this by vomiting, fasting, using laxatives or enemas. It might seem similar to the binging subtype of anorexia, but those who have Bulimia tend to keep a consistent body weight, instead of becoming dangerously underweight.
Common symptoms of Bulimia are:
- Recurrent episodes of binge eating or having a lack of control when it comes to eating.
- A fear of gaining weight
- Purging behaviors to prevent weight gain
- Self-esteem mainly based on weight and body shape
Bulimia can also have dangerous side effects, for example, a sore throat, swollen salivary glands, tooth decay, severe dehydration from vomiting and hormonal imbalances.
Binge Eating Disorder
Binge eating disorder might seem like a subtype of Anorexia or Bulimia, but there is a difference. Researchers also think that Binge Eating disorder is one of the most common types of eating disorders in the US. As with most eating disorders, Binge eating disorder starts during adolescence or early adulthood. It can also develop later on in life though as well.
Those with binge eating disorder also eat until they are painfully full, or they eat, even though they are not hungry. They will also experience a lack of control when it comes to eating and binge eat during a short period of time. The difference though is that those with binge eating disorders don’t restrict calories or use purging to lose weight. People with binge eating disorders often are overweight or obese.
Common symptoms of Binge Eating Disorders
- No purging behaviors.
- Feel a lack of control during binge-eating episodes
- Eating large amounts of food in secret during a short period of time, until they feel uncomfortable. Or they eat even though they don’t feel hungry.
- Feeling shame, guilt or disgust when binge eating.
4. In conclusion
When it comes to eating disorders, you needn’t feel alone. Recovery is possible and the road to healing might take time, but it can be done. If you or someone that you know of, has an eating disorder, then please read the next article on how to recover from an eating disorder. There are stages that one can follow that can help you or your loved one lead a new and healthy lifestyle.
