What is An Eating Disorder?
Some Basic Facts
Eating disorders are extreme expressions of food and weight issues experienced by many individuals, particularly girls and women. They include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating. Eating disorders are serious emotional and physical problems that can result in life-threatening consequences.
Those with eating disorders can do major damage to their bodies. Reducing food intake leaves one feeling nauseated, dizzy, and irritable. It can cause dry hair and skin, even osteoporosis--a disease of the bones. Many women stop having menstrual cycles. Heart problems and other life threatening complications can occur.
Yet the physical problems are only half the story. The emotional problems can be serious too. An unhealthy attitude about food and body image is the main issue. Some use food to make themselves feel better; others stop eating to feel like they are "in control" of their life. Both behaviors leave people feeling bad about what they are eating. And worst of all, the more people begin to obsess over what they are eating (or not eating), the less they care about other things--like school, friends, and other activities.
ANOREXIA NERVOSA is characterized by self starvation and excessive weight loss.
Symptoms include:
- Refusal to maintain body weight at or above a minimally normal weight for height, body type, age, and activity level
- Intense fear of weight gain or being "fat"
- Feeling "fat" or overweight despite dramatic weight loss
- Loss of menstrual periods
- Extreme concern with body weight and shape
- Restriction of food intake or denying hunger
- Feeling moody
- Over exercising
BULIMIA NERVOSA is characterized by a secretive cycle of binge eating followed by purging. Bulimia includes eating large amounts of food--more than most people would eat in one meal--in short periods of time, then getting rid of the food and calories through vomitting, laxative abuse, or over-exercising.
Symptoms include:
- Repeated episodes of binging and purging
- Feeling out of control during a binge and eating beyond the point of comfortable fullness
- Purging after a binge (typically by self-induced vomiting, abuse of laxatives, diet pills and/or diuretics, excessive exercise, or fasting)
- Making excuses to go to the bathroom after meals
- Frequent dieting
- Extreme concern with body weight and shape
- Sneaking food
- Enamel on teeth begins to wear away, causing cavities
BINGE EATING DISORDER is characterized primarily by periods of uncontrolled, impulsive, and continuous eating beyond the point of feeling comfortably full. While there is no purging, there may be sporadic fasts or repetitive diets and often feelings of shame or self-hatred after a binge. People who overeat compulsively may struggle with anxiety, depression, and loneliness, which can contribute to their unhealthy episodes of binge eating. Body weight may vary from normal to mild, moderate, or severe obesity.
OTHER EATING DISORDERS can include some combination of the signs and symptoms of anorexia, bulimia, and/or binge eating disorder. While the behaviors may not be clinically considered a full syndrome eating disorder, they can still be physically dangerous and emotionally draining. All eating disorders require professional help.
(Information obtained from the National Eating Disorders Association; Key Life Directions)
Helpful websites include:
Other helpful resources in print:
- The Eating Disorder Sourcebook (2007) by Carolyn Costin. A comprehensive guide to the causes, treatments, and prevention of eating disorders.
- What's Eating You? A Workbook for Teens Who Have Problems with Food (2005) by Tammy Nelson. A self-help book in which readers will work on how to eat in healthy ways and how to stay in balance, physically and emotionally.
- Life Without Ed (2004) by Jenni Schaefer and Thom Rutledge. The author shares her stuggles and triumphs with her own eating disorder.
TREATMENT FACILITIES
High School Guidance
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