Introduction:
An eating disorder can occur in people of any sex, age, race, shape, or body weight. The mental, physical and emotional system varies from person to person depending upon the type of eating disorder. People who suffer from eating disorders tend to develop an unhealthy relationship with food, weight, or appearance. These types of disorders can be easily treated but, if left untreated, can be life-threatening. Eating disorders are caused by factors such as brain biology, genetics, mental health problems, and social and cultural ideals. Eating disorders can be associated with psychological complications and serious medical issues. Individual or group therapy can be effective in treating eating disorders.
What Is Eating Disorder?
An eating disorder is characterized by abnormal eating behavior that negatively affects a person's mental and physical health. The most common eating disorders are bulimia nervosa, anorexia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. Eating disorders can harm the digestive system, heart, bones, mouth, and teeth of the person. They are often seen in young adults and teenagers.
What Are the Types of Eating Disorders?
The types of various eating disorders and their symptoms are:
-
Anorexia Nervosa: It is also called anorexia and is a potentially life-threatening eating disorder. It is characterized by an intense fear of gaining weight, abnormally low body weight, and a distorted perception of shape or weight. People who suffer from anorexia have to put a lot of effort into losing weight. It involves symptoms such as restricted eating, intense fear of gaining weight, mild anemia, brittle nails, slower pulse rate, low blood pressure, brain damage, yellowish skin, severe constipation, multiple organ failure, infertility, lethargy, and distorted body shape.
-
Bulimia Nervosa: It is also known as bulimia is a serious and potentially life-threatening eating disorder. It includes a lack of control over eating habits. In the case of bulimia, the person tends to eat a large quantity of food in a short period of time. The person is usually preoccupied with body shape and weight and judging oneself with self-perceived flaws. The symptoms include acid reflux disorder, sore throat, intestinal reflux, dehydration, and gastrointestinal problems.
-
Binge Eating Disorder: Thisinvolves eating too much regularly and feeling of lack of control over eating. The person may feel disgusted, ashamed, or guilty after binge eating. The person tends to eat even if he does not feel hungry. The person might eat alone to hide his binge habit due to embarrassment. The symptoms involve eating a large amount of food, eating even if the person is not hungry, and feeling guilty, distressed, or ashamed about eating and eating fast food.
-
Avoidant/ Restrictive Food Intake Disorder: Itis associated with failing to meet minimum daily nutrition requirements. The person may avoid eating food with color, smell, taste, or texture that the person does not like to eat or think it may lead to choking. The disorder can cause failure in gaining weight, nutritional deficiency, or weight loss. Symptoms include lack of appetite or interest in food, upset stomach, abdominal pain, drastic weight loss, and gastrointestinal problems.
What Are the Causes of Eating Disorders?
There is no exact cause of an eating disorder. The other factors involved are:
-
Genetic and Biology: People may consist of genes that increase the risk of developing an eating disorder. Change in brain chemicals is a biological factor that plays a role in eating disorders.
-
Psychological and Emotional Health: A person may develop psychological or emotional problems suffering from an eating disorder. They may have impulsive behavior, troubled relationships, and low self-esteem.
What Are the Symptoms of an Eating Disorder?
The symptoms of an eating disorder are as follows:
-
Spending time worrying about the body shape or weight of the person.
-
Eating very little food.
-
Feeling sick or taking laxatives after eating food.
-
Excessive exercise.
-
Having a strict diet on food.
-
Feeling dizzy, cold, or tired.
-
Pain, numbness, or tingling in the legs or arms.
-
Problems such as constipation or diarrhea.
-
Eating a lot of fast food.
-
Mood swings.
-
Fatigue, dizziness, and fainting.
-
Hair loss or thinning of hair.
-
Withdrawal from friends or social circle.
What Are the Risk Factors of Eating Disorders?
The risk factors of eating disorders involve:
-
Family History: Eating disorder mostly occurs in people having siblings or parents who have a history of an eating disorder.
-
Mental Health Disorder: People with an eating disorder often have a history of depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or depression.
-
Dieting and Starvation: These are risk factors for developing an eating disorder. Starvation causes mood swings, affects the brain, reduction in appetite or weight loss and starvation affect the brain working in vulnerable situations.
-
Stress: Stress of many things can initiate the risk of having an eating disorder.
What Are the Complications of Eating Disorders?
An eating disorder can cause complications that can be life-threatening. The complications are as follows:
-
Serious health problems.
-
Depression and anxiety.
-
Social and relationship problems.
-
Problems with development and growth.
-
Suicidal behavior or thoughts.
-
Substance use disorder.
-
Work and school issues.
-
Death.
How to Treat Eating Disorders?
The treatment of eating disorders involves:
-
Psychotherapies: Done where parents of the child suffering from an eating disorder take the responsibility of feeding the child to improve moods and habits in case of anorexia nervosa.
-
Medications: Such as mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, or antidepressants help treat eating disorders.
-
Maudsley Approach: This is the form of therapy that helps parents of teenagers with anorexia. Parents guide the child in focusing on healthy eating habits.
-
Nutrition Counseling: It is done through a registered dietician who can help in improving eating habits and developing meal planning.
Conclusion:
An eating disorder is considered to be a serious problem that affects mental and physical health. It is sometimes associated with mental disorders such as body dysmorphic syndrome (refers to a mental disorder in which the person cannot stop thinking about flaws or perceived defects), generalized anxiety disorder (refers to symptoms similar to a panic attack), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (refers to unreasonable fears and thoughts that leads to compulsive behavior). The best treatment approach for an eating disorder is seeking professional help, such as a nutritional counselor and self-help to maintain physical, behavioral, and mental balance.
