Eating Disorders

What Is an Eating Disorder?

An eating disorder is an illness that

leads people to overeat, starve

themselves, or adopt other unhealthy

behaviors surrounding food and body

weight. These disorders -- binge eating,

anorexia nervosa, and bulimia -- are not

simply bad habits. They interfere with

daily life and without proper treatment

they can cause serious health problems.

WHAT IS BINGE EATING

DISORDER?

Episodes of extreme overeating are the hallmark of this illness, which is the most common eating disorder. People who struggle with it are usually overweight or obese -- male or female. In contrast with bulimia, this illness does not lead people to purge (vomit), fast, or over-exercise. It can develop at any age but is often diagnosed in middle age. It can lead to type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.

BINGE EATING

SYMPTOMS

Many of us overeat from time to time; binge eating is different. People describe feeling out of control when they overeat. They may eat more quickly than usual during a binge. They may eat until they are painfully full, or binge when they aren't hungry. Many people with binge eating disorder say that stress, anxiety, depression, or boredom can trigger a binge.

BINGE EATING SYMPTOM:

GUILT

It's common for someone with binge eating

disorder to feel guilty, ashamed, or depressed

after a binge. This can lead to a vicious cycle in

which bingeing causes emotional distress, and

then emotional distress causes more bingeing.

Guilt and shame cause many people with binge

eating disorder to hide the behavior, which can

make it harder to diagnose.

BINGE EATING

SYMPTOM: WEIGHT

CHANGE

It's not uncommon for someone with binge eating

disorder to have weight fluctuations because of

attempts to diet between bingeing episodes. But

until the bingeing behavior is under control,

weight loss efforts are unlikely to be successful in

the long term.

DIAGNOSING

BINGE EATING

DISORDER

Most binge eaters hide their overeating, even

from close family members, so getting a diagnosis

can be difficult. One sign is a history of bingeing

at least twice a week for six months or more.

Diagnosis may also include a physical exam and

a discussion of eating patterns, medical history,

and family history.

TREATING BINGE EATING

DISORDER

Successful treatment may come from a combination of approaches. Talking with a therapist -- particularly cognitive behavioral therapy -- can help to change unhealthy eating habits and thinking patterns. Nutrition education, family counseling, and support groups can provide further help. Weight loss programs can also help get long-term control over binge eating. If depression is an issue, a doctor may prescribe medicine.

WHAT IS ANOREXIA?

People with anorexia nervosa develop an unusual fear

of gaining weight, which can drive them to become

dangerously thin. It's more common in women and

girls, but it affects boys and men, too. It can start

after life change, a traumatic event, or the desire to

excel in sports such as gymnastics or cross-country

running. Anorexia is a serious health problem, but

with support and the right treatments people can and

do get better.

ANOREXIA SYMPTOM:

RAPID WEIGHT LOSS

People with anorexia go to great lengths to lose

weight. Besides eating too little food, they may

compulsively exercise, or take diet pills. Taking

pills to urinate (diuretics) or have a bowel

movement (laxatives) are other unhealthy

strategies to keep weight down. People may

continue to lose, despite symptoms of starvation -

- and hide a rail-thin body in baggy clothes.

ANOREXIA SYMPTOM:

FOOD OBSESSION

Food becomes an obsession in anorexia. People

may eat very little, but think about food

constantly. They may portion their food carefully,

eat very small amounts of restricted foods, count

calories, or weigh food before eating it. People

with this illness may simply move food around

the plate without actually eating anything.

ANOREXIA SYMPTOM:

FALSE BODY IMAGE

Though people with anorexia may be dangerously

thin, they still see themselves as fat. They are

often extremely critical of themselves. Anorexia

may in part develop out of perfectionism. But the

drive to achieve a "perfect" body spirals out of

control until it becomes unhealthy and even life-

threatening.

ANOREXIA: OTHER

SYMPTOMS

Physical symptoms of anorexia can include:

Brittle hair and nails

Yellowing skin

Fine hair growth all over the body

Cold sensitivity

Constipation

Slow reactions or lethargy

Loss of menstrual periods

DIAGNOSING ANOREXIA

Because anorexia can be life-threatening, it's

important to get a diagnosis as soon as possible.

Generally, a diagnosis of anorexia can be made if

a person is less than 85% of what is considered a

normal weight, if she shows an intense fear of

gaining weight, and has a very distorted body

image. A doctor may run tests to rule out other

diseases before confirming a diagnosis of

anorexia.

TREATING ANOREXIA:

HOSPITALIZATION

A stay in the hospital may be needed for people

with serious health complications, dangerously

low weight, or thoughts of harming themselves.

Hospital stays are usually short. Outpatient

programs are common, with people going to

daytime appointments and staying at home at

night. This approach is generally less disruptive

to a person's daily life.

TREATING ANOREXIA:

THERAPY

Anorexia treatment has three goals: restore a healthy weight, treat any psychological issues, and reduce unhealthy thoughts and actions that might lead to a relapse. Family therapy that includes parents is helpful for children and teens with anorexia. Treating anorexia in adults is trickier; therapy may be combined with additional treatments. With every approach, food and nutrition counseling is key.

TREATING ANOREXIA:

MEDICATION

Antidepressants and other medications are often

prescribed to treat underlying mood problems in

people with anorexia. The results have been

mixed: Some people get better on medication,

while others may still relapse. Research has

found that a combined approach -- medications

and therapy -- works better than one treatment

alone.

WHAT IS BULIMIA?

Bingeing and purging are the hallmarks of bulimia.

Though anyone can get bulimia at any time, 85% to

90% of bulimics are female, and it often strikes in the

teen and young adult years. Factors that play a role

include stressful life events, biology, culture and

habits within a family, and social pressures to be

thin. The good news: Bulimia is not a life sentence.

Treatment can stop the cycle of bingeing and purging.

BULIMIA SYMPTOM:

EATING AND PURGING

A person with bulimia eats large amounts of food

very quickly and then compensates by throwing

up, taking pills to have a bowel movement

(laxatives), or exercising excessively. Bingeing

and purging can happen a few times a week or

many times in a single day. People say they feel

out of control when bingeing and they keep it

secret out of shame

EATING DISORDERS ARE A GROUP OF SERIOUS CONDITIONS IN

WHICH YOU'RE SO PREOCCUPIED WITH FOOD AND WEIGHT THAT

YOU CAN OFTEN FOCUS ON LITTLE ELSE. THE MAIN TYPES OF

EATING DISORDERS ARE ANOREXIA NERVOSA, BULIMIA NERVOSA

AND BINGE-EATING DISORDER.

BULIMIA SYMPTOM:

WEIGHT OBSESSION

Unlike anorexia, people with bulimia are usually

at a normal weight or just slightly overweight.

But they're deeply afraid of gaining weight. In

the grip of the illness, those with normal body

weight and size may believe they're actually

terribly fat, called a distorted body image. The

drive to lose weight can also lead people to abuse

diet pills.

BULIMIA SYMPTOM:

DEPRESSION

Bulimia is more than just a problem with food.

For many people, the cycle of food binges and

purging is an attempt to control negative

feelings. It's common for people with bulimia to

struggle with depression, anxiety, or substance

abuse. Someone with bulimia may be moody or

irritable and may withdraw from friends and

family.

BULIMIA: OTHER

SYMPTOMS

The physical effects of bulimia can include:

A chronic sore throat

Worn tooth enamel

Swollen salivary glands in the cheeks

Heartburn

Constipation and other digestive problems

Dehydration

Irregular periods

DIAGNOSING BULIMIA

To diagnose bulimia, a doctor will ask about a history of bingeing and purging. Many people deny and hide these behaviors, which can make it tough to get a diagnosis and proper treatment. If you suspect bulimia, talk to a health care professional. The earlier a person gets treatment for bulimia, the more likely they are to recover completely

TALK AND SUPPORT

If you think a loved one is struggling with an

eating disorder, don't hesitate to talk about it. Do

voice your concerns respectfully, avoiding guilt or

blame. Focus on the specific behaviors that worry

you, and encourage the person to get help.

Though you can't force a person to change, you

can let them know that they have your support.

TREATING BULIMIA

Treatment for bulimia is most successful when

a combination of therapies are tailored to the

individual. Nutritional counseling and therapy

can help the person establish healthy eating

habits and develop a better relationship with

food and eating. Research has shown that

antidepressants can help break the cycle of

bingeing and purging and prevent relapses.