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People
with eating disorders experience serious disturbances in their eating
patterns, such as a severe and unhealthy reduction in their food intake or
overeating, as well as extreme concern about body shape or weight. Eating
disorders usually develop during adolescence or early adulthood.[1] Eating
disorders are not due to weak willpower or bad behavior; rather, they are
real, treatable illnesses. The two main types of eating disorders are
anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Who has eating disorders? ·
Women are much more likely than
men to develop an eating disorder. Only an estimated five to 15 percent of
people with anorexia or bulimia are male.[1] ·
An estimated 0.5 to 3.7 percent
of women suffer from anorexia nervosa in their lifetime.[1] Research
suggests that about 1 percent of female adolescents have anorexia.[2] ·
An estimated 1.1 to 4.2 percent
of women have bulimia nervosa in their lifetime.[1] ·
About 50 percent of people who
have had anorexia develop bulimia or bulimic patterns.[2] What
are the signs and symptoms? Anorexia Nervosa —
Extreme weight loss and believing that one is fat despite excessive
thinness are key features of anorexia. The following behaviors are signs
that a person may have anorexia: ·
Skips meals, takes tiny portions,
will not eat in front of others, or eats in ritualistic ways ·
Always has an excuse not to eat ·
Will only eat a few “safe,”
low-calorie, low-fat foods ·
Loses hair, looks pale or
malnourished, wears baggy clothes to hide thinness ·
Loses weight yet fears obesity
and complains of being fat despite excessive thinness ·
Detests all or specific parts of
the body, insists she or he cannot feel good about self unless thin ·
Exercises excessively and
compulsively ·
Holds to rigid, perfectionist
standards for self and others ·
Withdraws into self and feelings,
becoming socially isolated ·
Has trouble talking about
feelings, especially anger Bulimia
Nervosa — People who have bulimia
regularly binge-eat and then attempt to prevent gaining weight from their
binge through purging (e.g., vomiting, abusing laxatives, exercising
excessively). The following are signs of bulimia: ·
Binges, usually in secret, and
empties cupboards and refrigerator ·
Buys “binge food” (usually
junk food or food high in calories, carbohydrates and sugar) ·
Leaves clues that suggest
discovery is desired: empty food packages; foul-smelling bathrooms;
running water to cover sounds of vomiting; use of breath fresheners;
poorly hidden containers of vomit ·
Uses laxatives, diet pills, water
pills or “natural” products to promote weight loss ·
Abuses alcohol or street drugs to
deaden appetite or escape emotional pain ·
Displays a lack of impulse
control that can lead to rash and regrettable decisions about sex, money,
commitments, careers, etc. What
causes eating disorders? As
with most mental illnesses, eating disorders are not caused by just one
factor but by a combination of sociocultural, psychological and biological
factors. Sociocultural
and psychological factors: ·
Low self-esteem [4] ·
Pressures to be thin (i.e.,
pressure to lose weight from family and friends) [3] ·
Cultural norms of attractiveness
as promoted by magazines and popular culture [3] ·
Use of food as way of coping with
negative emotions [3] ·
Rigid, “black or white”
thinking (e.g., “being fat is bad” and “being thin is good”) [3] ·
Over-controlling parents who do
not allow expression of emotion [3] ·
History of sexual abuse [3] Biological
factors: ·
Genetic predisposition to eating
disorders, depression, and anxiety [3] ·
Certain personality styles, for
example obsessive-compulsive personality type [2] ·
Deficiency or excess of brain
chemicals called neurotransmitters, especially serotonin [4] What
other mental illnesses commonly “co-occur” with eating disorders? Mental
illnesses such as depression, anxiety and alcohol/drug addiction are
sometimes found in people with eating disorders. Some of these disorders
may influence the development of an eating disorder, and some are
consequences of it. Many times, eating and co-occurring disorders
reinforce each other, creating a vicious cycle. What
are the long-term effects of eating disorders? Left
untreated, eating disorders may lead to malnutrition; muscle atrophy; dry
skin, hair, and nails; dental problems; insomnia or chronic fatigue;
ulcers; low blood pressure; diabetes; anemia; kidney, liver, and pancreas
failure; osteoporosis and arthritis; infertility; seizures; heart attack;
and death: ·
The most common causes of death
are complications of the disorders, including suicide.[1] ·
The mortality rate among people
with anorexia is 12 times higher than the death rate among females ages 15
to 24 from all other causes.[1] What
treatments are available? Eating
disorders are treatable. The sooner they are diagnosed and treated, the
better the outcomes are likely to be. Eating disorders require a
comprehensive, long-term treatment plan that usually involves individual
or family therapy, and that may include medication and even immediate
hospitalization. Unfortunately, many people with eating disorders will not
admit they are ill and refuse treatment. Support from family and friends
is vital to successful treatment and recovery.[1] It
is important to address the emotional, spiritual, social, and vocational
needs with the appropriate professional as it is needed.
Other
Resources Remuda Ranch 1-800-
445-1900. 928-684-3913 A
Christian residential center for eating disorders National
Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) NEDA
is the largest non-profit organization in the United States dedicated to
eliminating eating disorders and body dissatisfaction. NEDA aims to
accomplish its goals by promoting positive body image and self-esteem.
Services NEDA offers include prevention programs, the distribution of
educational materials, research and a referral line. Anorexia
Nervosa and Related Eating Disorders, Inc. (ANRED) ANRED’s
mission is to provide easily accessible information on anorexia nervosa,
bulimia nervosa, binge-eating and other food and weight disorders. ANDRED,
a non-profit organization, distributes materials on topics such as
self-help, prevention and recovery. National
Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD) Screening
for Mental Health, Inc. (SMH)
Eating
Disorder Information and Referral Center Harvard
Eating Disorders Center (HEDC) Internet:
http://www.hedc.org/ Overeaters
Anonymous (OA) OA
is a non-profit international organization that provides volunteer support
groups worldwide. Modeled after the 12-step Alcoholics Anonymous program,
the OA recovery program addresses physical, emotional and spiritual
recovery aspects of compulsive overeating. Members are encouraged to seek
professional help for individual diet and nutrition plans and for any
emotional or physical problems. The
Renfrew Center Foundation The
Renfrew Center Foundation is a tax-exempt, non-profit organization
promoting the education, prevention, treatment and research of eating
disorders. The Renfrew Center Foundation is funded by private donations
and by the Renfrew Center, the nation’s first freestanding facility
committed to the treatment of eating disorders. Excerpts from: Mental
Health America
MASTERPEACE Center for Counseling and Development
308 S. Maumee Street, Tecumseh, MI 49286
·
517-423-6889
·
www.mpccd.com
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