Eating Disorders

Eating disorders involve an obsession with food and weight that harms a person's welfare. Although we all worry about our weight at times, people with eating disorders go to extremes to keep from gaining weight. There are two main eating disorders: anorexia nervosa and bulimia.

These two disorders can be difficult to distinguish from each other, as they have similar characteristics. In both, the person has a distorted body image and seems to be obsessed with what they eat.  The difference is that people with anorexia nervosa do not eat enough to stay healthy and may starve themselves, whereas people with bulimia eat (and may even gorge themselves with food) and then rush to a bathroom to induce vomiting immediately after eating.  In both cases, severe malnutrition can result.

What causes these disorders?

The exact causes are not known, but eating disorders have been associated with stress or emotional upset, and also with a strong need to be "in control." People with these disorders often want everything in their lives to be perfect. The pressure that society imposes on people to be thin in order to look good may also contribute. People with anorexia believe they would be happier and more successful if they were thin.  The idea of being thin is taken to extremes. An anorexic is never “thin enough” to satisfy herself.

What is the difference between wanting to be healthy and falling into an eating disorder?

It is healthy to watch what you eat and exercise. What is not healthy is constantly being worried about weight and feeling guilty about what you eat. People with eating disorders do harmful things to their bodies because of their obsession with weight. Even a normal weight seems fat and ugly to someone with this disorder.

How do you know if you have an eating disorder?

Eating disorders usually begin in adolescence but may start early in childhood.

The following are possible warning signs of anorexia and bulimia:

• Unnatural concern about body weight (even if the person is not overweight), which may intensify.

• Obsession with counting calories, fat grams and food intake.

• Use of any medicines to prevent weight gain (diet pills, laxatives, diuretics)

• Vomiting after meals

• Refusing to eat or lying about how much is eaten

• Fainting

• Over-exercising

• Not having menstrual periods

• Denying that something is wrong even when the person is obviously ill and far too thin.

What if you have one of these disorders?

Individual psychological therapy and family counseling in which you talk about your feelings about weight and the problems in your life is very useful.

People with eating disorders may, thankfully, get better and gradually learn to eat well. Anorexia and bulimia affect both the mind and body, so treatment must include mental health professionals (psychologists or psychiatrists), general practitioners and nutritionists, to assist with a quick recovery and to change eating habits.

But perhaps most important in the treatment of these disorders is to recognize or identify the problem as soon as possible, for as is the case with every bad habit, the longer it goes on the harder it is to break.

Anorexia and bulimia can severely damage a person’s body and mind and can even be fatal (the person literally starves to death because the organs of the body can no longer function) if it is not treated early.  

How can friends and family members help?

The most important thing family and friends can do is give love. People with eating disorders may hold on desperately to their illness because in it they feel safe, secure and comfortable. The biggest fear they have of gaining weight is that they see it as a loss of control. They may deny they have a problem. People with anorexia and bulimia will beg and lie to avoid eating and gaining weight.  Although love is important, there are limits: the family should not give in to such emotional blackmail or allow themselves to be manipulated.  Professional help is essential.

If you know someone with one of these disorders and feel you can not talk to their parents (or yours), try to talk to a teacher, neighbor, doctor or other trusted adult. Do not forget that eating disorders are more common among adolescents than among adults and that they can be treated, although it may take time.

For more information about anorexia nervosa and bulimia press here:

Anorexia

Bulimia