Eating Disorders
types of eating disorders
- eating disorders have the highest morbidity rate of any mental illness
- exist on a spectrum
- tool used to cope with surroundings (often with a lack of self esteem); diseases
- obsessions about food, weight, and body image
- US: 8 million with eating disorders (7 million women, 1 million men)
- almost 50% of all Americans know someone with an eating disorder
- major forms: anorexia nervosa (1/200 women), bulimia (2 or 3/100 women), binge eating disorder (compulsive overeating)
anorexia
- renamed anorexia nervosa in the 19th century from the Greek meaning “a nervous lack of appetite”
- majority of cases develop between the ages of 12 and 16
- characteristics
- self-starvation
- low self-esteem
- morbid fear of fatness
- distorted body image/body dysmorphia
- cessation menstrual periods in women
- 10-15% of those who struggle with anorexia are male
- 50% recovery rate following treatment
- medical complications
- low tolerance for cold, hypothermia
- low blood pressure
- heart irregularities
- mild anemia
- brittle hair and nails
- irregular or cessation of menstrual cycles
- gastric, kidney, and metabolic damage
- severe malnutrition
- impaired judgement
- electrolyte imbalance
- rashes and dry skin
- deterioration of vital organs
- heart failure
- muscle spasms
- death
bulimia
- derived from meaning “ox hunger”
- most people begin in their late teenage years
- characteristics
- binging and purging of food
- impulse eating
- self-induced vomiting
- abuse of exercise laxatives
- self-esteem is determined by weight
- affects people of all sizes
- 10-15% of those who struggle with bulimia are male
- medical complications
- swollen salivary gland and facial puffiness
- increased dental problems
- gastric problems/excessive gas after eating
- inflammation in the esophagus
- injuries to the inside of the mouth
- electrolyte imbalance
- laxative abuse → colon damage
- chronic indigestion
- sore throat
- constipation
- irregular or cessation of menstrual periods
- fatigue
- dry skin
- water retention
- eye hemorrhaging
- death
binge eating
- eating mass amounts of foods in one sitting
- characteristics
- difficult to diagnose
- consumption of a large amount of quantities in a single sitting
- rollercoaster dieting
- out of control around food
- medical complications
- hypertension (high blood pressure)
- weight-onset diabetes
- respiratory distress
- cardiac distress
- load-bearing joint pain
other eating disorders
- EDNOS: eating disorders not otherwise defined or specified
- disordered eating
- can be difficult to recognize
- frequent overating
- eating late at night
- hiding food
- certain foods are “safe” or “off-limits”
treating eating disorders
- encourage them to seek professional assistance
- eg. group therapy, nutritional counseling, individual therapy
- earlier diagnosis of eating disorder = easier recovery process