Overview
Having an eating disorder is much more than just being on a diet. An eating disorder is an illness that permeates all aspects of each sufferer's life, is caused by a variety of emotional factors and influences and has profound effects on the people suffering and their loved ones. If you or someone you know is suffering from this disorder, you are not alone.
Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness. It is estimated that seven million American women and one million American men have an eating disorder. Individuals experience mild mental anguish to life-threatening conditions that can affect every aspect of their daily life. The most common eating disorders include:
- Anorexia – People with anorexia starve themselves out of an intense fear of becoming fat. In addition to restricting calories, people with anorexia may also control their weight with exercise, diet pills or purging.
- Bulimia – Bulimia involves a destructive cycle of bingeing and purging. Following an episode of out-of-control binge eating, people with bulimia take drastic steps to purge themselves of the extra calories. In order to avoid weight gain they vomit, exercise, fast or take laxatives.
- Binge Eating Disorder – People with binge eating disorder compulsively overeat, rapidly consuming thousands of calories in a short period of time. Despite feelings of guilt and shame over these secret binges, they feel unable to control their behavior or stop eating even when uncomfortably full.
Treatments
There are many treatment options for eating disorders. To be most effective, treatment for an eating disorder must address both the physical and psychological aspects of the problem. The goal for patients suffering from eating disorders is to treat any medical or nutritional needs, promote a healthy relationship with food and teach constructive ways to cope with life.
Often, a combination of therapy, nutritional counseling and group support works best. In some cases, residential treatment or hospitalization may be necessary. A few options for treating eating disorders include:
- Psychotherapy – Individual and group therapy can help to explore the issues underlying the eating disorder, improve self-esteem and learn healthy ways of responding to stress and emotional pain.
- Nutritional counseling – Dietitians or nutritionists are often involved in the treatment of eating disorders. They can help design meal plans, set dietary goals and achieve a healthy weight.
- Support groups – Attending an eating disorder support group can help with feelings of being alone or ashamed.
- Residential treatment –- Residential or hospital-based care may be required when there are severe physical or behavioral problems, such as a resistance to treatment, medical issues that require a doctor’s supervision or continuing weight loss.
Signs and Symptoms of Eating Disorders
Individuals suffering from an eating disorder may be unaware that they have an eating disorder or may have difficulty asking for help. Look for these warning signs:
- Thoughts about “feeling fat”
- Fear of gaining weight
- Feelings of loss of control when eating
- Weight determines self-esteem
- Body image obsession
- Guilt or shame after eating
- Repeated attempts at dieting
- Eating large amounts of food in a short period of time
- Self-consciousness or embarrassment about eating
- Sneaking food
- Lying about eating habits
- Restrictive eating
- Self-induced vomiting
- Laxative or diuretic use
- Use of diet pills
- Compulsive exercise
- Eating to relieve stress or depression
- Eating when not hungry
- Perfectionism
- Depression
- Low body weight
- Embarrassment about body weight
- Menstrual irregularities
- Gastrointestinal complaints
If three or more of the following symptoms apply to you or a loved one, contact your healthcare provider or Sanford Clinic Women’s Health Internal Medicine to meet with a mental health counselor.
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