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Many who suffer from eating disorders believe that once they have the illness, they will struggle with it for the rest of their lives. Sometimes perpetuated by experts in the field, this belief can be the central problem that keeps people ill, according to a new book written by Carolyn Costin and Gwen Schubert Grabb. (more…)
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There are many mental disorders that can wreak havoc on the personal lives of those suffering from them. One of the most damaging categories of mental disorders is eating disorders, such as anorexia or bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder. These three disorders are also joined by another catch-all term called eating disorder not otherwise specified, designated for eating disorders in which the symptoms do not fall neatly into the criteria of the disorders listed in the DSM-IV.
In an article on The Milford Daily News, Dr. Esther Dechant and Beth Mayer give an overview of eating disorders. Nearly one million men and 10 million women in the United States suffer from eating disorders, with many more cases suspected. Because of a high level of shame associated with the disorders, many individuals avoid seeking eating disorder treatment or admitting to loved ones that a problem exists.
While the specific causes of eating disorders are unknown, researchers are learning more about certain factors that increase the risk. Those who have a family history of eating disorders, who participate in activities or sports in which appearance or weight is carefully assessed, and those for whom being thin is especially important tend to be at a higher risk. Experts agree, however, that no particular biological or environmental trigger alone is the cause of an eating disorder.
Treating eating disorders is very difficult. Most individuals are treated on an outpatient basis, with efforts centering on various types of therapy and evaluations and coaching by medical staff and registered dietitians. In severe cases, the patient may require hospitalization or a residential eating disorder treatment program to regain stability.
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Eating disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia nervosa, are often perceived by the general population as a lifestyle disease. It is assumed that young women, in particular, choose this alternative lifestyle as a way to be thin, presumably because they are vain and obsessed with their image. (more…)
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There is much focus on prevention and education efforts to help girls avoid dangerous eating behavior patterns that can lead to the development of an eating disorder. Teenage girls are typically aware of the warning signs and some parents have been educated on what to watch for in their daughters to indicate that there is a problem. (more…)
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There are many complications associated with anorexia nervosa. Individuals with the eating disorder often limit calories so severely that malnutrition affects their bodies, resulting in cardiovascular disorders and bone density problems. Bone density is especially a concern among young girls with anorexia, as their bodies are still in a stage of development. (more…)
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Eating disorder experts report that when they discuss the roots of the problem with their patients, often the scenario described fits what they call the "thin ideal," the concept that repeated exposure to perfected images of models and celebrities causes an expectation to fit that mold. (more…)
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Eating disorders are caused by a number of factors, with each case rooted in a unique set of specific causes. Experts believe that each individual with an eating disorder has been affected by a combination of environmental and biological risk factors that have ultimately led to dangerous eating behaviors. (more…)
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In many families, the time for eating and the choice of food varies as widely as the number of people in the house. In some households, children make their own sandwich before settling in front of a television in their own rooms, while in others, one family dinner may be prepared, but busy schedules don’t allow for everyone to sit down together. (more…)
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Many young women leave for their freshman year of college with the fear that they will return home two sizes bigger than they left. In what is referred to as the "Freshman 15," young women binge on cafeteria food and late-night pizza and junk food while sitting around studying. (more…)
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There is a high level of comorbidity among those with eating disorders. Many patients with anorexia or bulimia nervosa or eating disorders not otherwise specified are also diagnosed with mental disorders like depression, anxiety and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Physicians often struggle to prescribe medications that yield the greatest benefit for patients who suffer from multiple disorders. (more…)
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