Disorders and Treatments Guide: Eating Disorders

By Maria Colenso

Unhealthy eating patterns, such as severe food reduction or overeating, characterize eating disorders. Risk factors for developing an eating disorder include problems with body image and self-esteem, major life changes, appearance-oriented culture, dieting and a genetic vulnerability.

The onset of eating disorders can happen at any age, and men, women and children are all at risk. The most common occurrence is among adolescent girls and young women (roughly ages 13 to 20).

Signs & Symptoms

Mental health professionals estimate that between 0.5 percent to 3.7 percent of females suffer from anorexia and an estimated 1.1 percent to 4.2 percent suffers from bulimia during their lifetime.

Symptoms of anorexia nervosa may include:

Self-starvation, which may include skipping meals, eating only small portions, eating only a few specific foods, having excuses for not eating, lying about eating, pretending to eat
Eating rituals, which may include not eating in front of other people
Preoccupation with food
Dramatic weight loss while denying being too thin
Hair loss, paleness, soft downy hair growth over the body
Compulsive and excessive exercise
Perfectionism, in self and others
Concealing weight loss with baggy clothes
Social withdrawal

Symptoms of bulimia nervosa may include:

Binge symptoms such as:
- Uncontrollable eating, eating until physically uncomfortable and eating unusually large amounts of food without significant weight gain
- Patterns of overeating and fasting
- Eating in private, hiding food
Purging symptoms such as:
- Using laxatives, diuretics or enemas after eating or using diet pills to curb hunger
- Frequent trips to the bathroom after meals
- Smells of vomit
- Excessive exercise, high-calorie burning exercise, and exercising after meals

Physical signs of bulimia may include discolored teeth, "chipmunk" cheeks, calluses on the knuckles and weight fluctuations. Contrary to common beliefs, being underweight is not a symptom of bulimia, although individuals with bulimia have a fear of gaining weight.

For more information, visit Mental Health America's factsheet about eating disorders:
http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/eating-disorders

Therapies

Treating eating disorders typically involves long-term therapy -- both one-on-one and as a family, and may include hospitalization (for severe malnourishment) and medications.

Psychotherapy, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), family-based therapy and group therapy, may be helpful in teaching patients about healthy body shapes and weights, what triggers their disorder and coping skills to prevent relapse. Nutritional counseling may also be helpful to educate and establish proper nutrition, meal plans and calorie intake.

Antidepressants or other psychiatric drugs may be helpful in minimizing the binge-purge cycle in bulimics, and may help ease the anxiety and depression that co-exists with many eating disorders.

With treatment, about 60 percent of patients recover. Without treatment, serious eating disorders can lead to death, as is the case for about 20 percent of sufferers.

Resources