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  • Let's Talk Facts About Eating Disorders: What Is An Eating Disorder?

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    Eating Disorders

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    34 views4 pages

    Let's Talk Facts About Eating Disorders: What Is An Eating Disorder?

    Uploaded by

    hadrianti
    kkk

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 4

    Let’s Talk Facts About

    Eating Disorders

    What Is an Eating Disorder?


    Eating disorders are illnesses in which the victims suffer severe disturbances in their eating behaviors and related
    thoughts and emotions. Those suffering from eating disorders typically become obsessed with food and their body
    weight as well. Eating disorders affect some several million people at any given time, most often women between
    the ages of 12 and 35. There are two main types of eating disorders, anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa; a third
    disorder, binge eating disorder, is still being examined.

    People with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa tend to be perfectionists who suffer from low self-esteem and are
    extremely critical of themselves and their bodies. They usually “feel fat” and see themselves as overweight,
    sometimes even despite life-threatening semi-starvation (or malnutrition). An intense fear of gaining weight and of
    being fat may become all pervasive. In early stages of these disorders, patients often deny that they have a problem.

    In many cases, eating disorders occur together with other psychiatric disorders like anxiety, panic, obsessive
    compulsive disorder, and alcohol and drug abuse problems. New evidence suggests that heredity may play a part in
    why certain people develop eating disorders, but these disorders also afflict many people who have no prior family
    history.

    Without treatment of both the emotional and physical symptoms of these disorders, malnutrition, heart problems,
    and other potentially fatal conditions can result. However, with proper medical care, those suffering from eating
    disorders can resume suitable eating habits, and return to better emotional and psychological health.

    Anorexia Nervosa
    Anorexia nervosa afflicts as many as one in every 100 girls and young women. It is diagnosed when patients weigh
    at least 15 percent less than the normal healthy weight expected for their height. People with anorexia nervosa don't
    maintain a normal weight because they refuse to eat enough, often exercise obsessively, and sometimes force
    themselves to vomit or use laxatives to lose weight.

    Over time, the following symptoms may develop as the body goes into starvation:
    • Menstrual periods cease
    • Osteopenia or osteoporosis (thinning of the bones) through loss of calcium
    • Hair/nails become brittle
    • Skin dries and can take on a yellowish cast
    • Mild anemia and muscles, including the heart muscle, waste away
    • Severe constipation
    • Drop in blood pressure, slowed breathing and pulse rates
    • Internal body temperature falls, causing person to feel cold all the time
    • Depression, and lethargy

    © Copyright 2005 American Psychiatric Association


    Let’s Talk Facts About
    Eating Disorders

    Bulimia Nervosa
    Although they may frequently diet and vigorously exercise, individuals with bulimia nervosa can be slightly
    underweight, normal weight, overweight or even obese. But, they are never as underweight as anorexia nervosa
    sufferers. Patients with bulimia nervosa binge eat frequently, and during these times sufferers may eat an astounding
    amount of food in a short time, often consuming thousands of calories that are high in sugars, carbohydrates, and
    fat. They can eat very rapidly, sometimes gulping down food without even tasting it. Their binges often end only
    when they are interrupted by another person, or they fall asleep, or their stomach hurts from being stretched
    beyond normal capacity. During an eating binge sufferers feel out of control. After a binge, stomach pains and the
    fear of weight gain are common reasons that those with bulimia nervosa purge by throwing up or using a laxative.
    This cycle is usually repeated at least several times a week or, in serious cases, several times a day.

    Many people don’t know when a family member or friend has bulimia nervosa because sufferers almost always hide
    their binges. Since they don’t become drastically thin, their behaviors may go unnoticed by those closest to them.

    But bulimia nervosa does have symptoms that should raise red flags:
    • Chronically inflamed and sore throat
    • Salivary glands in the neck and below the jaw become swollen. Cheeks and face often become
    puffy, causing sufferers to develop a “chip-munk” looking face
    • Tooth enamel wears off, teeth begin to decay from exposure to stomach acids
    • Constant vomiting causes gastroesophageal reflux disorder
    • Laxative abuse causes irritation, leading to intestinal problems
    • Diuretics (water pills) cause kidney problems
    • Severe dehydration from purging of fluids

    Binge Eating Disorder


    Presently, the criteria for binge eating disorder are under investigation or are still being defined. However, people
    with binge eating disorder have episodes of binge eating in which they consume very large quantities of food in a
    brief period and feel out of control during the binge. Unlike people with bulimia nervosa, they do not try to get rid
    of the food by inducing vomiting or by using other unsafe practices such as fasting or laxative abuse. The binge
    eating is chronic and can lead to serious health complications, particularly severe obesity, diabetes, hypertension and
    cardiovascular diseases.

    Treatments
    Eating disorders clearly illustrate the close links between emotional and physical health. The first step in treating
    anorexia nervosa is to assist patients with regaining weight to a healthy level; for patients with bulimia nervosa
    interrupting the binge-purge cycle is key. For patients with binge eating disorder it is important to help them

    © Copyright 2005 American Psychiatric Association


    Let’s Talk Facts About
    Eating Disorders

    interrupt and stop binges. However, restoring a person to normal weight or temporarily ending the binge-purge
    cycle does not address the underlying emotional problems that cause or are made worse by the abnormal eating
    behavior.

    Psychotherapy helps individuals with eating disorders to understand the thoughts, emotions and behaviors that
    trigger these disorders. In addition, some medications have also proven to be effective in the treatment process.

    Because of the serious physical problems caused by these illnesses, it is important that any treatment plan for a
    person with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or binge eating disorder include general medical care, nutritional
    management and nutritional counseling. These measures begin to rebuild physical well-being and healthy eating
    practices.

    Resources
    For more information, please contact:

    American Psychiatric Association (APA)


    1000 Wilson Blvd.
    Suite 1825
    Arlington, VA 22209
    703-907-7300
    www.healthyminds.org

    National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders


    P.O. Box 7
    Highland Park, IL 60035
    847-831-3438
    www.anad.org

    National Eating Disorders Association


    603 Stewart St.,
    Suite 803
    Seattle, WA 98101
    206-382-3587
    Toll-Free 800-931-2237
    www.nationaleatingdisorders.org

    © Copyright 2005 American Psychiatric Association


    Let’s Talk Facts About
    Eating Disorders

    Weight-control Information Network (WIN)


    1 WIN Way
    Bethesda, MD 20892–3665
    877-946-4627
    http://win.niddk.nih.gov

    One in a series of brochures designed to reduce stigmas associated with mental illnesses by promoting informed
    factual discussion of the disorders and their psychiatric treatments. This brochure was developed for educational
    purposes and does not necessarily reflect opinion or policy of the American Psychiatric Association. For more
    information, please visit www.healthyminds.org.

    © Copyright 2005 American Psychiatric Association

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