Overview of Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are a group of conditions that cause serious emotional and physical symptoms. Common eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder. Without proper treatment, an eating disorder can take over much of one’s life and cause significant health complications.
Anorexia Nervosa
People with anorexia avoid food, severely restrict, or only eat small amounts of food. Even if dangerously underweight, individuals with anorexia may still see themselves as overweight. Anorexia can take a heavy toll on one’s physical health due to low food intake and inadequate nutrition.
Anorexia symptoms include:
- Intense fear of gaining weight
- Distorted body image
- Extremely restricted eating
- Relentless pursuit to loose weight
Bulimia nervosa
Individuals with bulimia nervosa experience recurrent episodes of feeling out of control and in which they eat large amounts of food, then try to rid themselves of the extra calories. This cycle can control many aspects of one’s life and have devastating health effects.
Bulimia symptoms include:
- Preoccupied with one’s own body shape and weight
- Using laxatives after eating when they’re not needed
- Feeling a loss of control
- Forced vomiting or exercise in fear of gaining weight
Binge-eating disorder
Binge-eating disorder is a condition where individuals experience a loss of control over their eating and have reoccurring episodes eating large amounts. Unlike those with bulimia nervosa, those with binge-eating disorder do not purge, excessively exercise, or fast after eating episodes. As result of the condition, many individuals with binge-eating disorder are overweight.
Binge-eating disorder symptoms include:
- Eating fast during binge episodes
- Eating large amounts of food within a specific amount of time
- Eating when full
- Eating alone or in secret to avoid judgement or embarrassment
- Feeling ashamed or guilty
Treatment
Treatment is available for those struggling with for eating disorders and has been proven to be effective.
Treatment plans commonly include:
- Psychotherapy (talk therapy)
- Nutritional counseling
- Medication
People with eating disorders are at an increased risk of suicide. If you or someone you know is in crisis and needs immediate help, call the toll-free National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL) at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Finding TREATMENT AND RESOURCES
- To learn more about eating disorders, we recommend contacting your health care provider.
- To read a further overview of eating disorders, the following resources are suggested:
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