Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are mental illnesses characterized by abnormal eating habits because of one's desire to reach his or her view of "perfect." An eating disorder is a disease that can control someone's mind until the point to where he/she can severely damage his/her body.
The two most common eating disorders are Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa.

Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia Nervosa is an eating disorder caused by a distorted body image where one's intense fear of gaining weight leads to his/her refusal to maintain a healthy body weight.

There are two types:

Restricting

Drastic restriction of calories, fat, etc.

Purging

Frequent purging by vomiting or abuse of laxative

SYMPTOMS

• Dizziness and fainting
• Lack of energy
• Mood swings and signs of depression
• Poor memory, slow thinking
• Tooth decay and gum damage
• Constipation due to laxative abuse
• Dry yellowish skin, brittle hair and nails

WARNING SIGNS

• Evident that weight is too low/ Inadequate food intake
• Obsession with calorie, fat, etc. intake/ intense fear of gaining weight
• Body image is overly important
• Binging and purging
• Denial/refusal to eat certain types of food
• Denies hunger
• Excessive exercise
• Harshly critical of appearance
• Excuses to avoided mealtime
• Strange or secretive food habits/rituals
• Signs of depression

HEALTH CONCERNS

• Extremely low heart rate and blood pressure
• Muscle loss and weakness
• Dehydration/ kidney failure
• Dry hair and skin
• Hair loss
• Reduction in bone density
• Lanugo: a downy layer of hair all over the body including the face in an effort to keep the body warm

Anorexia Nervosa takes between 5-20% of the lives of people it effects, which is one of the highest death rates in mental disorders.

Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia Nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by frequent episodes of binge eating followed by frantic attempts to lose weight.

SYMPTOMS & WARNING SIGNS

Binge Cycle

• Eating large amounts of food at one time (up to 3,000 calories)
• Secrecy and lack of control over eating
• Alternating between overeating and fasting

Purge Cycle

• Frequent bathroom visits after meals
• Excessive exercise
• Smell of vomit
• Excessive use of laxatives, enemas and diuretics

Physical Signs

• Calluses/scars on hands and knuckles
• Discoloration in teeth
• Swollen cheeks
• Abnormal fluctuations in weight
• NOT underweight

HEALTH CONCERNS

• Abdominal pain
• Swollen hands
• Sore/hoarse throat
• Tooth decay
• Acid reflux and stomach ulcers
• Ruptured stomach or esophagus
• Halt in menstruation
• Broken blood vessels in the eyes
• Constipation/bloating

People with Bulimia Nervosa are usually aware that their actions are strange and bad for their health.

Main Causes of Eating Disorders

• Body image distortion
• Low self-esteem
• Strict dieting
• Family troubles
• Difficulty expressing oneself
• Perfectionism
• Family history of eating disorders
• Drastic events/life changes
• Hormones
• Medications
• Depression

Have a friend showing symptoms of an eating disorder?

• Be a good role model
• Avoid angry outbreaks, insults, threats
• Seek advise from a health care professional

If you are someone you know is suffering from an eating disorder, call the National Eating Disorder Association's toll-free hotline:

(800) 931-2237

Sources: helpguide.org , nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus