Many young people have concerns about eating or body image at
some stage, but most do not develop an eating disorder. Eating
disorders like anorexia and bulimia are more common in females, but
also affect males. They can have a very serious effect on your
life, and can be life-threatening. Early detection and effective
treatment increases the chance that you will do well.
What are eating disorders?
Concerns about weight, appearance and eating habits are very
common. They become a problem when they begin to affect your
physical or mental health and well-being. Many young people with an
eating disorder do not seek help, but instead try to hide the
problems from their family and friends.
Symptoms of eating disorders can include:
- Excessive dieting or overeating
- Thinking and talking a lot about body image, body weight and
food
- Avoiding social situations that involve food
- Eating only certain types and amounts of food
- Becoming irritable or withdrawing from friends and family
- Wearing loose fitting clothing to hide weight loss
- Wanting to eat alone
- 'Playing' with food rather than eating it
- Excessive exercise
- Feeling faint, dizzy and weak
- Going to the bathroom straight after meals
- Difficulty concentrating
- Often feeling tired and low
Types of eating disorder
People with either anorexia or bulimia are preoccupied with body
weight and their control over eating.
People with anorexia might:
- Refuse to eat enough food despite being hungry
- Have a strong fear of gaining weight or becoming fat, even
though they are underweight
- Have inaccurate perceptions of their body
- Deny serious weight loss
- Stop having menstrual periods (if female)
- Exercise excessively
- Force themselves to vomit after eating, or use diuretics or
laxatives to reduce their weight
People with bulimia might:
- Repeatedly binge eat, consuming large quantities of food that
is often high in fat or sugar
- Feel out of control when bingeing
- Try to make up for binges and avoid weight gain by making
themselves vomit, or by using laxatives or diuretics, fasting, or
excessive exercise
People with bulimia often have a compulsive cycle of binge/
purge/exercise/binge. They usually manage to keep to a healthy
weight, so the problem is hard for others to recognise.
Health problems from eating disorders
Eating disorders can lead to serious physical health problems.
Malnutrition or repeated cycles of bingeing and purging can
cause damaging changes in the body. Starvation, for example, can
lead to osteoporosis (weakening of the bones), kidney problems,
headaches, constipation or diarrhoea, fainting and heart problems.
Vomiting after eating can expose the teeth to stomach acid and
cause decay, and also cause sore throats, heart problems and
abdominal pain. Laxatives can cause either constipation or
diarrhoea, as well as dehydration and bowel disease.
Eating disorders can also lead to difficulties in concentrating,
then problems in studying or at work. They also increase the chance
of having depression, anxiety, substance misuse, irritability and
moodiness.
Getting help for an eating disorder
If you are worried that a friend or family member has an eating
disorder, then first of all let them know that you are worried and
care about them. Even if they deny there is a problem and do not
want to talk about it, gently encourage them to seek professional
help.
Help is available from general practitioners (GPs), school
counsellors, psychologists and specialist mental health
workers.
Treatment of eating disorders
People with eating disorders will benefit from professional
help. Keeping the person safe is the first priority. If the weight
loss is severe or there are serious health complications, then a
stay in hospital may be needed.
Treatment starts with developing a good working relationship
with the young person, then moves on to providing information,
establishing healthy patterns of eating and exercise, and looking
after physical health. Individual counselling, family work and
medication (when appropriate) might all be required, usually
provided by a treatment team.
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.