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

\