What is an eating disorder?
An eating disorder is when a person’s eating habits and relationship with food becomes difficult. These mental health conditions usually require the intervention of medical and psychological experts. Eating disorders are characterized by irregular habits of eating and distress or concern about weight or shape of the body.
What are the signs of an eating disorder?
Signs that may indicate an eating disorder include:
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making excuses for not eating;
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adopting an overly restrictive diet;
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excessive focus on eating;
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withdrawing from normal activities;
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persistent worry or complaining about weight;
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frequent checking of the body in the mirror;
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use of laxatives or dietary supplements for weight loss;
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excessive exercise;
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calluses on the hands from inducing vomiting;
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loss of tooth enamel;
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eating more food as a snack than what is considered normal;
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expressing depression or guilt about eating habits.
Types of eating disorders
Some of the most common occurring eating disorders are described below:
Anorexia Nervosa:
It is the most common eating disorder. People with anorexia nervosa view themselves as overweight, even if they’re dangerously underweight. They tend to continually review their weight, avoid eating certain foods and severely restrict their diet intake and calories. Anorexia is very damaging to the body. Individuals living with anorexia experience the thinning of their bones, brittle hair and nails, and even infertility.
Bulimia Nervosa:
Just like anorexia, bulimia is another widely common eating disorder. People with bulimia eat unusually large amounts of food, and after each binge eating episode, they use purging practices, such as vomiting or extreme exercise to repay for their binges. Side effects may include a sore throat, swollen salivary glands, tooth decay, acid reflux, and hormonal disturbances. Severe cases can cause electrolyte disturbances leading to a heart attack. People who suffer from binge eating order are often overweight or obese. This increases their risk of medical complications like heart disease, stroke, and type II diabetes.
Binge Eating Disorder:
This disorder is similar to bulimia nervosa. Individuals suffering from this disorder eat unusually large amounts of food in relatively short periods and feel a lack of control during these binging episodes. But unlike bulimia nervosa, people with this disorder do not restrict calories. They also do not use purging behaviours, like vomiting or excessive exercise to compensate for their overeating.
What will happen if an eating disorder is left untreated?
What will happen if patients are left untreated?
Eating disorders are a sensitive issue that affects everyone in the family, not just the patient. If left alone, the patient can be left feeling confused, scared, angry, and alienated. The patient’s coping mechanisms are stretched. It is essential to validate and acknowledge the effects of the eating disorder.
How can psychotherapy and counselling help?
Therapy regarding eating disorders is most effective as these behaviours have been disrupted, and weight restoration can be on its way. It is essential to focus first on the patient for these disorders as their health is directly affected. When the initial damage done by eating disorder is fixed, the family should also be involved to support the person suffering from eating disorders. This is due to the reason that most patients suffering from eating disorders have a base of peer pressure and the need for external validation from friends and family regarding physical looks.
