Eating disorders are a hidden problem that many people do not recognize as an issue until it is too late. Fortunately, there are effective ways to identify the symptoms of an eating disorder so that you can seek help before things get worse. Eating disorders differ from other types of psychological problems in that they typically begin in some phase of development rather than the result of stress from family or personal choices. Eating disorders are also often co-morbid with other medical illnesses such as diabetes and depression. However, even though they have different causes, all individuals who suffer from an eating disorder share some similarities. This article will explore what eating disorders are, their symptoms and how to recognize them. We will also discuss the effects that eating disorders have on both body and mind.
What is an eating disorder?
An eating disorder is a mental disorder characterized bystarving and binge eating. Binge eating is the act of having large amounts of food in a short period of time in an attempt to fill a nutritional need or maintain a desired body weight. In order to qualify as an eating disorder, a person must experience binge eating four or more times in a month. This is the key to understanding the disorder and its treatment.
The Basics of Eating Disorders
An eating disorder is a mental disorder characterized bystarving and binge eating. Binge eating is the act of having large amounts of food in a short period of time in an attempt to fill a nutritional need or maintain a desired body weight. Studies indicate that approximately 15% of the population suffers from an eating disorder at some point in their lifetime. Eating disorders are usually treatable, but they can become chronic conditions if not recognized and treated promptly.
How to Recognize the Symptoms of an Eating Disorder
Because eating disorders are associated with a strong desire to consume large amounts of food, it is important to recognize the specific behaviors that are a result of hunger. Binge eating, for example, is a common symptom because it is a result of hunger. Binge eating can also be accompanied by extreme disruption of one’s normal eating routine, including attempts to control one’s eating by extreme measures (i.e. purging).
How to Help Someone Who Has an Eating Disorder
For those who have an eating disorder, the support system can be the difference between recovery and losing the battle. There are a number of ways to help a person with an eating disorder. The first is to identify the signs of the disorder so that you and your loved ones know what to watch for. While it is important to seek medical attention for anyone experiencing extreme hunger, Binge Eating and Self-induced vomiting (Sie) are more indicative of an eating disorder.
Consequences of Having an Eating Disorder
While anyone can experience an eating disorder at any time, the consequences are most often emotional, financial and physical. Emotional: An eating disorder can cause a person to feel ashamed, inferior, or even inferior to other people who have an eating disorder. financially: An eating disorder can result in a high cost of living due to the need for large-scale purchases of food. This can be particularly true for people on lower incomes. socially: An eating disorder can prevent someone from going out in public, holding a job, or having close friendships. physically: An eating disorder can lead to an increased risk of developing substance abuse or dependency.
Causes of eating disorders
All individuals who suffer from an eating disorder share some common causes. These include: – Genes – DNA in all of us contains instructions for making our favorite foods. When these are not fulfilled through the regular diet, it can lead to binge eating and less effective eating. – Environment – Food Environment – How we eat depends on where we are, what time of the day we eat, and how we react to different foods. – Psychological – Food Related – Binge eating, a result of psychological stress, can be the spark that lights the fire in an eating disorder. – Environmental – Food Interactions – Overgeneralization – The tendency to draw conclusions about a person’s eating habits based on the patterns observed.
Bottom line
Although eating disorders are often a hidden problem, they can be recognized and treated. The most important thing you can do is seek help if you think you are struggling with an eating disorder.