Eating Disorders

Here you will find information about eating disorders and their causes. There’s also a description of how to identify someone who may be suffering from one of these disorders and how you can help him/her. 

What is an Eating Disorder?

An eating disorder is an obsession with food and body weight that affects the well being of the person. Although we all worry about our weight sometimes, people who have an eating disorder go to extreme lengths to avoid gaining weight. There are two main eating disorders: Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia.

These two disorders can be difficult to distinguish from each other because they have similar characteristics and usually people suffer from both of them at different times. In both, people have a distorted body image and seem obsessed with what he or she eats.

90% of the people with eating disorders are women.

What causes eating disorders?

Scientist are still researching what causes them, but it’s associated with stress or feeling the need to “be in control”. These people usually want their lives to be perfect. The pressure that society puts on people to look good by being thin can contribute to the development of an eating disorder. People with anorexia believe that they would be happier or more successful if they were thinner.

What’s the difference between being healthy and having an eating disorder?

It’s healthy to be careful about what you eat and how you exercise. What’s not healthy is to be constantly worrying about your weight and about what you eat. People with eating disorders do dangerous things because of their obsession with body weight.

How do you know if you suffer from an eating disorder?

Eating disorders usually start in adolescence but can start as early as 8 years of age.

The following are possible signs of anorexia and bulimia. Be aware that the most severe signs can be difficult to see because people with eating disorders try to hide them:

• Exaggerated preoccupation about body weight (especially if person is not over weight)
• Obsessed with the amount of calories, grams of fat and food he or she is consuming.
• Use of medication for weight loss and/or to prevent weight gain (diet pills, laxatives, diuretics)
• Purging after eating meals
• Avoiding eating or lying about what or how much she/he ate.
• Fainting
• Doing too much exercise
• No menstruation
• Denying that something’s wrong.

What can you do if you have one of these problems?

For anorexia as well as for bulimia, individual and family psychological counselling it’s very useful. Counselors should work with the patient on feeling good about her/his body image and that happiness is not about being thin.

People with eating disorders can improve and gradually learn to eat well. Anorexia and bulimia affects the body and the mind; that’s why treatment should include mental health professionals (psychologist or psychiatrist); general physicians, and nutritionists that help the person recuperate and change eating habits.

The most important part of the treatment for these disorders is recognizing and identifying the problem as soon as possible.  As with any bad habit, the more time you practice it, the more difficult it is to break.

Anorexia and bulimia can damage your body and mind if not treated in time. They can even be fatal.

How can friends and family help?

The most important thing that family and friends can do is to love them. People with eating disorders feel safe with their diseases. Their biggest concern is to gain weight, because they perceive it as a way of loosing control. They deny having a problem. People with anorexia will lie to avoid eating and gaining weight. Friends and family should not let them stop eating.

If you know anyone with these disorders and feel you can’t talk with their parents (or with your parents); try talking with a teacher, neighbor, doctor, or an adult you trust. Don’t forget that eating disorders are more common in teenagers and that there is help for them.