Eating disorders are serious, life-threatening illnesses characterized by severe disturbances in eating behaviors and associated thoughts and emotions. They can be very difficult to diagnose and treat.
The symptoms of eating disorders vary depending on the type and cause of the disorder. They can affect people of any age, gender, body shape or size.
Some of the most common eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder. These disorders can be extremely dangerous and are best treated early in life.
Anorexia nervosa is characterized by an intense fear of gaining weight, a distorted body image and an inability to maintain a minimally normal body weight. Individuals who have anorexia nervosa may severely restrict their food intake or use other methods, such as excessive exercise, laxative abuse or vomiting to avoid weight gain.
Binge eating is the most common of all eating disorders and occurs when a person consumes a large amount of food in a short period of time. Binge eaters usually do not restrict their calories or use purging behaviors such as vomiting, fasting or using laxatives to compensate for the food they have consumed.
Treatment for anorexia nervosa includes counseling, support and education. It also may involve medications, which can help reduce symptoms and make it easier for people to recover.
Many people with eating disorders have other mental health problems and are at risk for other medical conditions, including heart disease and diabetes. They may also have high levels of depression and anxiety.
They may need to go to a hospital or live in a residential program while they receive treatment. The best way to prevent an eating disorder is to get regular checkups with your doctor.
A medical diagnosis of an eating disorder requires a therapist’s evaluation and a thorough medical history. A doctor should look for signs of extreme dieting, obsession with weight, fear of gaining weight and a distorted body image. They should also look for signs of anorexia nervosa, such as frequent self-weighing, weight fluctuations, lack of interest in social activities and a change in appetite.
It is important to note that anorexia nervosa can occur in people of all body sizes, even those who are considered “normal” or “overweight.” This is due to the fact that individuals with anorexia nervosa have a fear of gaining weight and are trying to control their weight by restricting their food intake.
This can lead to a dangerously low body weight, which increases the risk of developing medical complications and death. Other possible signs of an eating disorder include obsessing about weight, having low energy, having an overactive bladder or having trouble concentrating.
There is a new category of eating disorder in the DSM-5 called avoidant restrictive food intake disorder, or ARFID for short. ARFID is a very serious condition that can impact a person’s social and family life.
The DSM-5 also recognizes a third condition, pica, which is a craving for non-food substances like ice, soil, chalk, paper, hair, wool, soap, cornstarch or laundry detergent. The symptoms of pica persist for at least one month and cause significant distress in the patient.
