Eating Disorders
What is an eating disorder?
Eating Disorders such as anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder are characterized by extreme behaviours, emotions, and attitudes surrounding weight and food issues. They are serious emotional and physical problems that can become life threatening if left untreated.
Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia is characterized by self-starvation and extreme weight loss.
Symptoms often include:
- excessive weight loss
- severe dietary restrictions
- hoarding, concealing, picking at, crumbling or throwing away food
- cutting food into small pieces or re-arranging it
- intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat, even though underweight
- denial of the seriousness of the low body weight
- distorted view of body
- amenorrhea in women ( loss of menstrual periods)
- preoccupation with food – reading recipes, preparing food only for others
- wearing baggy or layered clothing to conceal weight loss or to keep warm
- compulsive activity
- social withdrawal
- secretiveness
Physical Consequences of Anorexia Nervosa:
- difficulty concentrating or thinking clearly
- sensitivity to cold
- lowered blood pressure which may result in fainting, dizziness
- muscle weakness and fatigue
- shrinking of muscles and other organs – including the brain
- thinning of hair or hair loss
- pale skin tone
- downy hair (lanuga) on face and arms
- dry cracked skin
- constipation
- osteoporosis
- heart failure, death
Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia is characterized by a repeated cycle of binge-eating followed by purging through vomiting, laxative use and/or over exercising.
Symptoms often include:
- repeated episodes of binge eating
- self induced vomiting
- use of laxatives, diuretics and/or diet pills
- excessive exercise
- out of control feelings over eating behaviour
- impulsivity ( such as with alcohol, spending, decision making, relationships)
- preoccupation with food and weight
- severe self criticism
- self worth determined by weight
- secretiveness
Physical Consequences of Bulimia
- Electrolyte imbalance and kidney dysfunction – which can result from purging (self-induced vomiting and/or laxatives)
- Difficulty concentrating
- Mood swings
- Swollen glands, puffiness in the cheeks or broken blood vessels under the eyes
- Erosion of tooth enamel
- Scarring and red abrasions on top of hands or knuckles
- Chest pain, muscle cramps, fatigue
- Chronic sore throat
- Stomach ulcers
- Rupture of the stomach and oesophagus
- Dehydration
- Irregular heartbeat
- Greater risk of suicidal behaviour
Binge Eating Disorder
Binge Eating Disorder (also known as compulsive overeating) is characterised primarily by periods of uncontrolled, impulsive eating beyond the point of feeling comfortably full.
- eating a extremely large amount of food within a set period of time
- repeated occurrences of binge eating, not followed by purging
- lack of control over eating behaviour during a binge
- eating to the point of physical discomfort
- taking other peoples’ food, stealing, eating discarded food
- eating to feel temporary emotional comfort
- eating in secret or alone,
- feelings of shame, distress, revulsion about binging behaviour
- eating rapidly and may experience an “altered state of consciousness” or trance like state
- eating between and beyond meal times, excessive snacking
- intense urges or cravings to eat particular foods
- low self esteem/self image over body shape, weight
- sporadic fasts or repeated diets
Other Eating Disorders
Other Eating Disorders include some combination of the signs and symptoms of anorexia, bulimia and/or binge eating disorder. Though they may not be considered full syndrome eating disorders, they are still emotionally draining and physically dangerous.
