Eating Disorder

An Introduction to Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are thought to be caused, and maintained, by a complex constellation of issues including genetics, environmental factors, traumatic events and concurrent psychological problems including depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder and chemical dependence.
The acts of food restriction, binge eating, purging and excessive exercising can be understood as an unconscious effort to control and cope with these internal sources of conflict and stress.
Eating disorders are characterised by extreme behavioural and emotional responses to food, weight and body shape.
Eating disorders are classified in one (or a combination) of three ways;
ANOREXIA NERVOSA is characterised by self-starvation and excessive weight loss. Symptoms include: a refusal to maintain body weight at or above a minimally normal weight for height, body-type, age, and activity level; an intense fear of weight gain or of being “fat”; feeling “fat” or overweight despite dramatic weight loss; loss of menstrual periods; extreme concern with body weight and shape.
BULIMIA NERVOSA is characterised by a secretive cycle of binge eating followed by purging. Bulimia includes eating large amounts of food - more than most people would eat in one meal - in short periods of time, then purging the food and calories through vomiting, laxative abuse, or over-exercising. Symptoms include: repeated episodes of bingeing and purging; feeling out of control during a binge and eating beyond the point of comfortable fullness; purging after a binge, (typically by self-induced vomiting, abuse of laxatives, diet pills and/or diuretics, excessive exercise, or fasting); frequent dieting; extreme concern with body weight and shape
COMPULSIVE OVEREATING (or BINGE EATING DISORDER) is characterised primarily by periods of uncontrolled, impulsive, or continuous eating beyond the point of feeling comfortably full. While there is no purging, there may be sporadic fasts or repetitive diets and often feelings of shame or self-hatred after a binge. People who overeat compulsively may struggle with anxiety, depression, and loneliness, which can contribute to their unhealthy episodes of binge eating. Body weight may vary from normal to mild, moderate, or severe obesity.
An eating disorder can also often result in serious physical problems, and therefore may be fatal.

Source:THE MONTROSE LIBRARY
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