EATING DISORDERS (ED)

         

          “Food is my companion”.

 “Am a coffee lover”.

“I love binge eating anything that is sweet”. (Personally to say, this was one of my own favorite sentence, sweets being my weak point).

Anita, a happy teenager loved spending most of her time in front of the mirror. Off late she started visiting washroom immediately after eating, something that her mother got concerned about.

Sameer had suddenly started avoiding going in family functions, meeting up friends. He had started eating food alone in his room and it perplexed his family with the sudden change in his behavior.

Often we have come across such situations some or the other time in our lives. Perhaps we have used these sentences for ourselves too!! Shall we say that we have felt proud too while saying it?? Little do we realize that it can be an indication by our body to us for some or other pending issue.  

However, when FOOD becomes our comfort or discomfort zone then it is time to stop and analyze. What? Why? When? Who? The W’s need to come in to play. So… let’s start!!

WHAT IS EATING DISORDER (ED)??

“Eating” can be defined as – HUNGER & SATIETY. Eating disorder is characterized by severe disturbances in eating behavior, related thoughts and emotions associated with it. It is one of the psychological disorders.

Then comes the next W..

                  WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF ED?? 

There is no specific cause that can be pinpointed for ED. It can be a combination of various factors such as family relationships, psychological problems, genetics, social factors to name a few.

                          WHO ALL ARE AT THE RISK OF ED??

Observed in teenagers and in young adulthood; it is more common in women. However, people can develop it later in life too. 

                             

                  HOW CAN AN ED BE DIAGNOSED?? 

Ø A medical history, which includes asking about your symptoms. It is important to be honest about your eating and exercise behaviors so your provider can help you

Ø  A physical exam

Ø  Blood or Urine tests to rule out other possible causes

Ø Other tests to see whether you have any other health problems caused by the eating disorder. These can include kidney function tests and an electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG)

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF ED??

Amongst the many types, the main types of ED are:-

1.   Anorexia Nervosa  

2.   Bulimia Nervosa

3.   Binge Eating Disorder

ANOREXIA NERVOSA :- People will intentionally avoid food intake or eat very small quantities of only certain foods. They may see themselves as overweight, even when they are dangerously underweight! Anorexia nervosa is the least common of the three eating disorders, but is often the most serious one. It has the highest death rate of any mental disorder.

        BULIMIA NERVOSA :- People will have periods of regular and uncontrolled episodes of binge-eating/over-eating. Afterwards, they purge, by making themselves throw up/vomit or use laxatives. They may also over-exercise or fast. People with bulimia nervosa may be slightly underweight, normal weight, or overweight.

       BINGE-EATING :- also known as "out-of-control eating". People tend to keep eating even when not hungry. It is usually followed by experiencing feelings of guilt, shame, and distress post eating. Eating too much too often can lead to weight gain and obesity. One may engage in sporadic and repetitive diets.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF ED??

          The symptoms of ANOREXIA NERVOSA :-

         Ø  Eating very little, to the point of starving yourself

Ø  Intensive and excessive exercise

Ø  Extreme thinness

Ø  Intense fear of gaining weight

Ø Distorted body image - seeing yourself as overweight even when you are severely underweight

The symptoms of BINGE-EATING :-

        Ø  Eating unusually large amounts of food in a specific amount of time, such as as a 2-hour period

Ø  Eating even when you're full or not hungry

Ø  Eating fast during binge episodes

Ø  Eating until you're uncomfortably full

Ø  Eating alone or in secret to avoid embarrassment

Ø  Feeling distressed, ashamed, or guilty about your eating

Ø  Frequently dieting, possibly without weight loss

         The symptoms of BULIMIA NERVOSA :- include the same symptoms as Binge-eating, plus trying to get rid of the food or weight after binging by -

         Ø  Purging, making yourself throw up or using laxatives or enemas to speed up the movement of food through your body

Ø  Doing intensive and excessive exercise

Ø  Fasting

WHAT HEALTH PROBLEMS CAN OCCUR WITH ED??

Over time, anorexia nervosa can cause health problems such as :-

Ø  Thinning of the bones (osteopenia or osteoporosis)

Ø  Mild anemia

Ø  Muscle wasting and weakness

Ø  Thin, brittle hair and nails

Ø  Dry, blotchy, or yellowish skin

Ø  Severe constipation

Ø  Low blood pressure

Ø  Slowed breathing and pulse

Ø  Feeling cold all the time because of a drop in internal body temperature

Ø  Feeling faint, dizzy, or weak

Ø  Infertility

Ø  Damage to the structure and function of the heart

Ø  Brain damage

Ø  Multiorgan failure

       Anorexia Nervosa can be fatal. Some people with this disorder die of complications from starvation, and others die of suicide.

Over time, BULIMIA NERVOSA can cause health problems such as

Ø  Chronically inflamed and sore throat

Ø  Swollen salivary glands in the neck and jaw area

Ø Worn tooth enamel and increasingly sensitive and decaying teeth. This is caused by the exposure to stomach acid every time you throw up.

Ø  GERD (acid reflux) and other gastrointestinal problems

Ø  Severe dehydration from purging

Ø  Electrolyte imbalance, which could be too low or too high levels of sodium, calcium, potassium and other minerals. This can lead to a stroke or heart attack.

        Some people with eating disorders may also have other mental disorders (such as depression or anxiety) or problems with substance use.

WHAT IS THE TREATMENT FOR ED?

Treatment plans for eating disorders are tailored to individual needs. The health care providers involved include psychiatrists, psychologists, physicians, dieticians or nutritional advisers, social workers, occupational therapists and nurses.

The treatments may include :-

Ø  Individual, group, and/or family psychotherapy. Individual therapy focusing on cognitive behavioral approaches, which help you to identify and change negative and unhelpful thoughts. It also helps you build coping skills and change behavioral patterns.

Ø  Medical care and monitoring, including care for the complications that eating disorders can cause.

Ø  Nutrition counseling. Doctors, nurses, and counselors will help you eat healthy to reach and maintain a healthy weight.

Ø  Medicines, such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, or mood stabilizers, may help treat some eating disorders. The medicines can also help with the depression and anxiety symptoms that often go along with eating disorders.

Ø  Some people with serious eating disorders may need to be in a hospital or in a residential treatment program. Residential treatment programs combine housing and treatment services.

 So, what's on your mind?? 

Poonam R Khairnar

Relationship Counselor

http://udyojak.org/poonamkhairnar/

poonam.counselor@rediffmail.com

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