Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are a serious that can be fatal illness, “that are associated with severe disturbances in people’s eating behaviors and related thoughts and emotions,” as stated by the National Institute of Mental Health. There are different types of eating disorders, but each being as serious as the next. Not only is it really sad to see somebody struggling with an eating disorder, but in some way, that person is battling something, and potentially suffering.

There are three main eating disorders that we will discuss in this article: anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder. Anorexia nervosa is defined by the NIMH as, “People with anorexia nervosa may see themselves as overweight, even when they are dangerously underweight. People with anorexia nervosa typically weigh themselves repeatedly, severely restrict the amount of food they eat, often exercise excessively, and/or may force themselves to vomit or use laxatives to lose weight.” This illness can physically and mentally take a severe toll on an individual. Anorexia can lead to death from complications of starvation, and also suicide. The NIMH reports symptoms as,

• “Extremely restricted eating
• Extreme thinness (emaciation)
• A relentless pursuit of thinness and unwillingness to maintain a normal or healthy weight
• Intense fear of gaining weight
• Distorted body image, a self-esteem that is heavily influenced by perceptions of body weight and shape, or a denial of the seriousness of low body weight

Other symptoms may develop over time, including:

• Thinning of the bones (osteopenia or osteoporosis)
• Mild anemia and muscle wasting and weakness
• Brittle hair and nails
• Dry and yellowish skin
• Growth of fine hair all over the body (lanugo)
• Severe constipation
• Low blood pressure slowed breathing and pulse
• Damage to the structure and function of the heart
• Brain damage
• Multiorgan failure
• Drop in internal body temperature, causing a person to feel cold all the time
• Lethargy, sluggishness, or feeling tired all the time
• Infertility”

Bulimia is the next topic that we will talk about. It is another commonly known eating disorder, but can also be a devastating one. The NIMH describes bulimia: “People with bulimia nervosa have recurrent and frequent episodes of eating unusually large amounts of food and feeling a lack of control over these episodes. This binge-eating is followed by behavior that compensates for the overeating such as forced vomiting, excessive use of laxatives or diuretics, fasting, excessive exercise, or a combination of these behaviors. People with bulimia nervosa may be slightly underweight, normal weight, or over overweight.” This is another mental illness that can lead to death if not treated and it persists for too long. It can cause immense suffering for the individual and a constant battle for them to fight.

Symptoms of bulimia are described by the NIMH as,

• “Chronically inflamed and sore throat
• Swollen salivary glands in the neck and jaw area
• Worn tooth enamel and increasingly sensitive and decaying teeth as a result of exposure to stomach acid
• Acid reflux disorder and other gastrointestinal problems
• Intestinal distress and irritation from laxative abuse
• Severe dehydration from purging of fluids
• Electrolyte imbalance (too low or too high levels of sodium, calcium, potassium, and other minerals) which can lead to stroke or heart attack”

The final eating disorder that we will talk about in this blog is binge-eating disorder. With this, it becomes very hard to have control over your food consumption. The NIMH states, “Unlike bulimia nervosa, periods of binge-eating are not followed by purging, excessive exercise, or fasting. As a result, people with binge-eating disorder often are overweight or obese. Binge-eating disorder is the most common eating disorder in the U.S.” The symptoms include,

• “Eating unusually large amounts of food in a specific amount of time, such as a 2-hour period
• Eating even when you’re full or not hungry
• Eating fast during binge episodes
• Eating until you’re uncomfortably full
• Eating alone or in secret to avoid embarrassment
• Feeling distressed, ashamed, or guilty about your eating
• Frequently dieting, possibly without weight loss”

Again, all these are just a serious and devastating as the rest. It is important for people to get help as soon as they can. It can happen to anybody, and usually show up in the late teen years. Occasionally, it can develop later in adulthood. Eating disorders happen to both genders, but women have the majority of cases. The NIMH states, “Researchers are finding that eating disorders are caused by a complex interaction of genetic, biological, behavioral, psychological, and social factors. Researchers are using the latest technology and science to better understand eating disorders.”

There are some treatments, medications, and therapies for eating disorders. The sooner the individual seeks treatment, the better. It’s easier to get it under control in the early stages, and gets harder the longer it persists.

If you know somebody struggling, find gentle ways to approach the situation and offer help.