Eating Disorders. What are they? What is the treatment? What about food? By Pat Pappal

We need nourishment to maintain our bodily functions, to grow and survive.

We eat out of necessity and for enjoyment. Social occasions, holidays, special events

focus on food. What happens when eating becomes disordered and are eating disorders 

really just about the food?

This post will focus on the 3 most common forms of eating disorders, the first being Anorexia

Nervosa. Those afflicted with Anorexia Nervosa have an intense fear of weight gain and often have a false perception of their size, body shape and weight. People will often resort to extreme

measures to control their weight, including food restriction, excessive exercise,and the misuse of diet aids and laxatives.

According to The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH): www.nimh.nih.gov/health, medical complications of AN may include:

Thinning of bones such as osteopenia and osteoporosis

Brittle hair and nails

Severe constipation

Low blood pressure

Heart damage

Drop in internal temperature, cold intolerance 

Extreme fatigue

Cessation of menstrual cycle

Bulimia Nervosa, people may eat an large quantity of food then vomit ( purge ) the food afterwards. There is usually a feeling of disgust after this act. The use of laxatives and diuretics 

may also be involved. This cycle may happen several times a day and is often done in secret. 

People with BN may be of normal weight but may still have intense concerns about gaining weight.

Symptoms associated with BN according to The NIMH include:

Chronic sore throat

Swollen salivary glands in the neck

Decaying teeth and worn tooth enamel

Gastric Reflux

Dehydration

Changes in electrolyte balance particularly potassium, sodium and calcium which can affect the regularity of the heart

Binge Eating Disorder consists of an individual eating more food in a 2 hour period of time than what would be considered usual. This occurs once a week for at least 3 months. As in BN, there is usually a feeling of disgust and a loss of control. People who binge may do so due to stress, anxiety or loneliness.

Prolonged Binge Eating may lead to:

Obesity and resulting complications of such as joint pain, immobility, sleep apnea

Type 2 Diabetes

Cardiovascular disease

Emotional distress, unhappiness with ones appearance, social isolation

Causes:

In many cases there may be determining factors of who develops an eating disorder. As noted by The American Psychological Association,www.apa.org/helpcenter/eating, specific psychological factors and personality traits such as perfectionism may predispose a person towards an eating disorder. Situations experienced in life may also predispose a person towards an eating disorder. 

And in many cases there is no known cause.

Treatment;

There are many avenues of treatment for eating disorders, a multidisciplinary approach is beneficial between primary care providers, specialists in the field of eating disorders,obesity specialists,dietitians, psychologists, and licensed mental health providers.

It’s very important to seek treatment early. As noted by The American Psychological Association, www.apa.org/helpcenter/eating, the longer abnormal eating patterns continue, the harder they are to treat and become more implanted in a persons life. Outpatient, inpatient, partial programs may be ongoing for years before recovery is attained. As noted by the Academy of Eating Disorders, Anorexia Nervosa has a mortality rate of 6 to 12 times higher in women comparable to the general population. Early intervention and recognition is key and essential.

Eating Disorders are not just about food. They are a complex medical and psychological condition that is medically treatable. Food may be used to feel in control of other symptoms as noted by womenshealth.gov. 

While nutritional stability is a goal of those treated eating disorders, the recognition that people do not choose to eat in a disordered manner is essential. The treatment of eating disorders is not just about food but achieving a healthy relationship in the social aspect of eating and the recognition that recovery is possible.

References:

The National institute of Mental Health; Eating Disorders: More Than Food. Retrieved April 1, 2015, fromhttp://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/eating-disorders 

American Psychological Association; Eating Disorders. Retrieved April1, 2015, from http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/eating.aspx

Academy of Eating Disorders ( 2012) Eating Disorders; Critical Points for Early Recognition and Medical Risk Management in the Care of Individuals with Eating Disorders

Women’shealth.gov; Body Image About Eating Disorders. Retrieved April 1, 2015.