Eating Disorders Options

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EATING DISORDERS

Eating disorders are serious diseases that are strongly influenced by emotional and culture factors. Due to the stigma linked to these illnesses and insufficient information, many of the afflicted hide their suffering and are unaware of the consequences or how to seek help. Although these disorders are extremely life threatening, it IS possible to recover.

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There are 3 major types of eating disorders:

- Anorexia Nervosa: classified by self-starvation and excessive weight loss.

Symptoms and Warning Signs:
• Intense fear of gaining weight or becoming "fat" although underweight.
• Resistance to keeping a body at or above normal weight and height.
• Dramatic weight loss.
• Obsession with weight, caloric/fat intake, dieting.
• Refusal to eat certain foods
• Denial of hunger.
• Avoiding meals and situations involving food.

Health Risks:
• Low heart rate and blood pressure
• Dry, brittle bones
• Muscle loss, weakness
• Kidney Failure
• Dehydration, malnutrition

- Binge Eating Disorder: frequent binge eating (aka compulsive over eating, BED)

Symptoms and Warning Signs
• Recurring bouts of eating large quantities of food in short time periods.
• Feeling his or her eating habits are out of control
• Feeling ashamed or disgusted of his or her eating habits.

Health Risks
• High blood pressure/cholesterol
• Heart & Gallbladder Disease
• Diabetes mellitus

- Bulimia Nervosa: classified by cycles of bingeing followed by compensatory behavior (i.e. vomiting, laxatives)

Symptoms and Warning Signs:
• *See first 3 symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa
• Frequent intake of large quantities of food along with feelings of loss of control over eating habits
• Regular self-induced vomiting, laxative/diuretic abuse, fasting, and/or obsessive exercise to compensate for overeating.
• Swelling of the jaw or cheeks
• Calluses on the back of hands and knuckles (from self-induced vomiting)
• Teeth discoloration.
• Creation of complex lifestyle schedules or rituals to allot time for binge-purge sessions.

Health Risks:
• Electrolyte imbalances
• Irregular heartbeats, heart failure
• Tooth decay and staining (from stomach acids in vomit)
• Chronic irregular bowel movements. (from laxative abuse)
• Gastric rupture (uncommon but possible)

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Facts:
+ 0.5-1% of American women suffer from Anorexia, 1-5% of the general population have BED, and 1-2% of young women suffer from Bulimia.
+ Anorexia has the highest death rate of all mental health conditions; 5-20% of Anorexics will die.
+ Most people with eating disorders look like they are of normal weight.
+ Eating disorders are more likely to affect women (mostly from adolescence to the mid 20's) than men.

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Getting Treatment:

Eating disorders require professional help. Early diagnosis and intervention can drastically improve recovery. Eating disorders that aren't treated early can become chronic, devastating, and fatal to one's health.
But, remember YOU CAN GET TREATED AND YOU CAN RECOVER.

• Talk to your parent, your doctor, counselor, or any other adult that you trust. The sooner you get diagnosed and begin treatment, the better.
• Psychological counseling is the most effective and long-term treatment accompanied by special attention to medication and nutrition. Treatment varies among different people according to the severity of their disorder and their individual needs.
• Care should be provided by professionals who specialize or have experience in dealing with eating disorders.
• Out patient therapy (including group, family, and individual) can be a great help to your recovery. You can also join support groups and get nutritional counseling.
• If the eating disorder becomes life-threatening, hospital based care is absolutely essential.
• If you have trouble finding or affording treatment, Check out THIS GUIDE on the National Eating Disorders website for answers to health care and insurance questions.

All information obtained from:

The National Eating Disorders Association
603 Stewart St., Suite 803, Seattle, WA 98101
Business Office: (206) 382-3587
Toll-free Information and Referral Helpline: (800) 931-2237
info@NationalEatingDisorders.org
http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org