Eating Disorders
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Eating disorders are not just about eating too much or too little. They are about food, body shape, body image, exercising and dieting, as well as other life factors. Although most people will at some time have issues with eating or body image, this may not develop into an eating disorder. There are a number of eating disorders. Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are probably the types most people are familiar with.
These conditions affect males and females and their impact on a young person’s life can be quite serious and at times can even become life-threatening. Early detection and effective treatment, however, can lead to more positive outcomes.
Concerns about weight, appearance and poor eating habits are commonplace in today’s society. Young people may go through periods of binge eating or dieting. Sometimes, concerns about weight, appearance and inappropriate eating habits (such as binge eating or dieting) can begin to affect a person’s health and well-being. This is the stage at which an eating disorder is said to exist. Many young people experiencing an eating disorder do not seek help. They may try to minimise or deny the issue, hiding their problems from family and friends.
In these circumstances understanding the symptoms of eating disorders may help. They can include:
- Excessive dieting or overeating
- Thinking and talking a lot about body size, weight and food
- Avoiding social situations involving food
- Restrictive eating: eating only certain types and amounts of food
- Becoming irritable and/or withdrawing from friends and family
- Wearing loose-fitting clothing to hide weight loss
- Wanting to eat alone
- Playing with food
- Exercising often
- Feeling faint, dizzy and weak
- Going to the bathroom after meals
- Difficulty concentrating
- Often feeling tired and low
Types of eating disorder
Both anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa involve a preoccupation with body weight and control over eating and food. People with anorexia control the amount of food that they eat, while people with bulimia tend to feel out of control where food is concerned.
Anorexia nervosa is characterised by:
- Refusal to eat enough food despite hunger
- Intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat, even though underweight
- Improper perceptions of body image
- Denial of serious weight loss
- For females, a loss of normal menstrual periods or irregular menstrual cycles
Young people with anorexia go without food and may exercise excessively. Some may also force themselves to vomit after eating, or use diuretics or laxatives to reduce their weight.
Bulimia nervosa is characterised by:
- Frequent and recurring episodes of binge eating, which involves consumption of large quantities of food (often high in calories, fatty, carbohydrate or sugar heavy foods), during which the person feels out of control
- Frequent and recurring attempts to make up for the binges and avoid weight gain, through such things as self-induced vomiting, use of laxatives or diuretics, fasting, or excessive exercising
Often, a compulsive cycle of binge/purge/exercise/binge becomes established and the person feels out of control. A person with bulimia is usually within a healthy weight range, so their problem may be difficult to detect.
Health issues associated with eating disorders
Eating disorders can lead to serious physical health issues. Starvation or repeated cycles of binge eating and purging/fasting can lead to major metabolic and other chemical changes in the body and damage to vital organs. For example, periods of starvation can lead to osteoporosis, kidney problems, headaches, constipation or diarrhoea, fainting, heart problems and more. Vomiting after food consumption can cause dental problems, sore throats, heart problems and abdominal pain as well as other physical health issues. Use of laxatives can cause constipation or diarrhoea, dehydration and bowel disease as well as others.
Apart from the physical complications, young people with an eating disorder may also suffer from difficulties concentrating, leading to difficulties at work and/or school and other mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, substance use issues, irritability and moodiness.
The first thing to do is let the person know that you are worried and that you care about them. Even if they deny there is a problem, get upset and might not want to talk about it, it is worthwhile trying to encourage them to seek professional help. This could include encouraging them to see and talk to a general practitioner (GP), the school counsellor, a psychologist, or specialist mental health worker. It might be good for you to offer your support, and go with them to the appointment. If they are not ready to do this, don’t force it (unless they are significantly underweight and their health it at risk). Just try to be there for them as they might wish to talk soon.
Sometimes professional help is required for the treatment of an eating disorder. Keeping the person safe is the first priority of treatment. If the weight loss is severe and serious health complications are present, then a stay at hospital may be required. Specific treatment for eating disorders consists of developing a good working relationship with the young person, providing them with information and explanation about eating disorders, restoring weight to a normal range, establishing healthy eating and activity patterns, looking after physical health, individual counselling and family work, and in certain cases, the use of medication. A team approach is often used.
For more information about how to get help see the getting help section of the website.
This information was produced in conjunction with ORYGEN Youth Health.