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Types
of Eating Disorders •
Medical
Complications •
Causes
•
Signs & Symptomps •
Treatments
•
Medications
•
Psychotherapy •
How
Family & Friends Can Help
Eating
disorders are psychological illnesses born from the desire
to achieve the "ideal figure." Victims become obsessed with
food and body weight. They often put themselves on strict
diets that tend to lead to starvation. Eating disorders alter
victims' perceptions to the extent that victims "feel fat"
or "look fat" in their own minds, while in reality they are
withering away.
The majority
of those afflicted with eating disorders are adolescent and
young adult women. Many women these ages are under tremendous
pressure from society, from peers and from themselves to look
good. What may begin as an innocent diet and exercise program
can easily become an overwhelming fear of being fat.
Eating
disorders often are a sign of or are accompanied by other
mental or emotional disorders, such as low self-esteem and
depression. Eating disorders can cause other serious medical
conditions, such as malnutrition and heart problems. Left
untreated, the results could be irreversible damage or even
death.
Types
of Eating Disorders
Generally,
eating disorders fall into two categories, each with its own
unique patterns.
Anorexia
Nervosa
Anorexia
nervosa causes its victims to intentionally starve themselves.
Some even starve themselves to death. People with anorexia
feel their hunger pains, but the overwhelming fear of gaining
weight and being fat usually overrides any desire to ease
the hunger. Over time, a victim may lose excessive amounts
of body weight. But a person with anorexia will continue
to see themselves as overweight, when in reality they are
skin and bones
People
with anorexia develop strange behaviors around food. They
might carry out eating rituals that involve strictly measuring
every food item, or refuse to eat in front of others. They
may prepare meals for others and not have any of the food
themselves. Often, eating habits are accompanied by strict
exercise schedules to keep weight off.
Bulimia
Nervosa
Unlike
those with anorexia, people with bulimia nervosa do eat.
In fact, they usually go through spells of excessive eating,
called "binges." But afterward, the pain of a full stomach,
the guilt of the binge and/or the fear of gaining weight
causes them to rid their bodies of the food by forced vomiting,
laxative or diuretic abuse, enemas or other means of "purging."
They may repeat this "binge-and-purge" cycle several times
a week or even several times a day, usually in private.
Because people with bulimia often maintain body weight,
the disorder is easily hidden.
Like
those with anorexia, people with bulimia may exercise and
diet heavily. In fact, many with anorexia also eventually
develop bulimia.
Medical
Complications
Eating
disorders cause a number of medical complications.
People with anorexia risk irreversible damage
to the heart and brain. As starvation sets in, the body slows
down certain functions to conserve energy. Breathing, pulse
and blood pressure drop, and thyroid function slows. Nails
and hair become brittle, and skin dries, yellows and grows
a layer of soft hair called lanugo. Dehydration causes constipation.
Reduced body fat leads to lowered body temperature and the
inability to withstand cold.
Anemia, swollen joints and reduced muscle
mass are common to anorexia. People may also experience irregular
heartbeat or heart failure.
In women, anorexia often causes monthly menstrual
cycles to stop. Afterward they may begin to lose calcium from
their bones, increasing the risk of developing osteoporosis,
a condition where bones become brittle and susceptible to
breaking.
Bulimia also can cause severe damage to the
body. Depriving the body of needed minerals can lead to heart
failure, and constant purging can damage the stomach and intestines.
The acids in vomit can cause injury to fingers frequently
pushed down the throat to induce vomiting and can wear down
tooth enamel, leading to tooth decay. The throat is constantly
sore or inflamed and may bleed.
Laxative abuse can lead to irritation of
the colon, and diuretic abuse can cause kidney problems. Dehydration
is common.
Eating disorders can also lead to other mental
disorders, most commonly depression. Any of these illnesses
comes with its own sets of implications.
Causes
Researchers
speculate the causes of eating disorders, considering several
factors. One possible cause is body image. Our society places
great value in beauty and thin bodies, which for most are
unattainable. Yet the pressure is still there; thin is beautiful;
thin is sexy; thin is successful; and many succumb to it,
falling into cycles of one diet failure after another.
Scientists believe eating disorders may run
in families. For some already at risk, a simple comment or
criticism from a close friend or loved one may be enough to
trigger an eating disorder.
Biochemistry plays a role in eating disorders.
People with eating disorders have imbalances in neurotransmitters;
chemicals that allow brain cells to communicate; that control
appetite and digestion, sleep, mood, thinking and memory.
Similar imbalances are known to cause some other mental disorders,
such as depression. Since many people with eating disorders
also develop depression, scientists believe there might be
a link between these disorders.
Signs
and Symptoms
People
who suffer from an eating disorder will likely display one
or more of the following symptoms and behaviors:
- Excessive
weight loss in a short period of time
- Continuation
of dieting beyond healthy body weight
- Obsession
with exercise
- Constant
dissatisfaction with appearance; belief that they are fat
- Strange
eating rituals
- Eating
in private
- Binge
eating; eating unusually large amounts of food; with no
apparent weight gain
- Frequent
and long trips to the bathroom, particularly after eating,
to
induce vomiting
- Excessive
use of laxatives or diuretics,
serious depression
alcohol or drug abuse
Treatments
In the
case of an eating disorder, getting treatment as soon as possible
is critical. The longer the disorder persists, the harder
it is to overcome. The first step is to have a complete medical
evaluation to rule out other disorders or medical problems.
Once an eating disorder is diagnosed, the
physician can determine whether the patient is in danger and
requires hospitalization. While many patients are successfully
treated as outpatients, those with severe weight loss, problems
with metabolism, depression or risk of suicide, or serious
binge-and-purge behaviors usually require hospitalization.
Effective treatment regimens often involve a team of specialists
who employ a variety of methods and therapies.
Medications
Physicians
commonly prescribe antidepressants to treat eating disorders.
These medications help level any chemical imbalances in the
brain that cause or complicate the disorder. Patients begin
to feel better about themselves and develop control over their
negative eating behaviors. In the case of anorexia, medications
help reduce the obsessive behaviors so that patients may gain
body weight.
Psychotherapy
While medication
helps level chemical imbalances, psychotherapy helps patients
to understand and change their negative thoughts and behaviors.
Treatments often include a combination of individual psychotherapy,
family therapy and group therapy.
During individual psychotherapy, patients
learn to recognize the thoughts and feelings that trigger
negative behaviors, and new ways to respond to those thoughts
and feelings. Family therapy helps families understand the
disorder and become involved in the patient's recovery. Group
therapy brings patients together to share experiences and
draw support from one another.
Treatment of eating disorders can be highly
successful. But it is critically important to recognize the
disorder, begin treatment as soon as possible, and stick with
the treatment.
How
Family and Friends Can Help
The most
important thing family and friends can do for a person with
an eating disorder is to help him or her get treatment. This
may involve encouraging the patient to stay with the treatment,
going with the patient to the doctor, or even monitoring whether
the patient is taking medication.
Family members and friends should learn as
much as possible about their loved one's disorder so they
can help the person understand his or her problem. Another
important way to help is to offer emotional support and understanding,
patience, affection and encouragement. This will help the
patient stay with the treatment.
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Overview