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