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An eating disorder is marked by extremes. It is present when a person experiences
severe disturbances in eating behavior, such as extreme reduction of food intake or extreme
overeating, or feelings of extreme distress or concern about body weight or shape.
A person with an eating disorder may have started out just eating smaller or larger
amounts of food than usual, but at some point, the urge to eat less or more spirals out of
control. Eating disorders are very complex, and despite scientific research to understand them,
the biological, behavioral and social underpinnings of these illnesses remain elusive.
The two main types of eating disorders are anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. A
third category is "eating disorders not otherwise specified (EDNOS)," which includes several
variations of eating disorders. Most of these disorders are similar to anorexia or bulimia but
with slightly different characteristics. Bingeeating disorder, which has received increasing
research and media attention in recent years, is one type of EDNOS.
Eating disorders frequently appear during adolescence or young adulthood, but some
reports indicate that they can develop during childhood or later in adulthood. Women and girls
are much more likely than males to develop an eating disorder. Men and boys account for an
estimated 5 to 15 percent of patients with anorexia or bulimia and an estimated 35 percent of
those with bingeeating disorder. Eating disorders are real, treatable medical illnesses with
complex underlying psychological and biological causes. They frequently coexist with other
psychiatric disorders such as depression, substance abuse, or anxiety disorders. People with
eating disorders also can suffer from numerous other physical health complications, such as
heart conditions or kidney failure, which can lead to death.
– What Are Eating Disorders?
An eating disorder is marked by extremes. It is present when a person experiences
severe disturbances in eating behavior, such as extreme reduction of food intake or extreme
overeating, or feelings of extreme distress or concern about body weight or shape.
Eating disorders are treatable diseases
Psychological and medicinal treatments are effective for many eating disorders.
However, in more chronic cases, specific treatments have not yet been identified. In these
cases, treatment plans often are tailored to the patient's individual needs that may include
medical care and monitoring; medications; nutritional counseling; and individual, group
and/or family psychotherapy. Some patients may also need to be hospitalized to treat
malnutrition or to gain weight, or for other reasons.
Helping a loved one with an eating disorder
If you notice the warning signs of an eating disorder in a friend or family member, you
may be hesitant to say anything out of fear that you’re mistaken, you’ll say the wrong thing, or
you’ll alienate the person. But although it’s undeniably difficult to bring up such a delicate
subject, don’t let these worries keep you from voicing valid concerns. Eating disorders will only
get worse without treatment, and the physical and emotional damage can be severe.
Talking to a friend or family member about your concerns
When approaching a loved one about an eating disorder, it’s important to communicate
your concerns in a loving and nonconfrontational way. Pick a time when you can speak to the
person in private, then explain why you’re concerned. Be careful to avoid critical or accusatory
statements, as this will only bring out your friend’s or family member’s defenses. Instead,
focus on the specific behaviors that worry you.
Common eating disorder warning signs
Preoccupation with body or weight Compulsive exercising
•
Obsession with calories,food or nutrition Making excuses to get out of eating
Constant dieting, even when thin • Avoiding social situations that involve food
Rapid,unexplained weight loss/w.gain • Going to the bathroom right after meals
Taking laxatives or diet pills • Eating alone, at night, or in secret
Tips for Talking about an Eating Disorder
Communicate your concerns. Share your memories of specific times when you felt
concerned about the person’s eating or exercise behaviors. Explain that you think these things
may indicate that there could be a problem that needs professional attention.
Avoid conflicts or a battle of the wills. If the person refuses to acknowledge that
there is a problem, or any reason for you to be concerned, restate your feelings and the reasons
for them and leave yourself open and available as a supportive listener.
Avoid placing shame, blame, or guilt on the person regarding their actions or
attitudes. Do not use accusatory “you” statements like, “You just need to eat.” Or, “You are
acting irresponsibly.” Instead, use “I” statements.
For example: “I’m concerned about you because you refuse to eat breakfast or lunch.”
Or, “It makes me afraid to hear you vomiting.”
Avoid giving simple solutions. For example, "If you'd just stop, then everything
would be fine!
Don’t give up if the person shuts you out at first or reacts in anger or denial. The eating
disorder is your loved one’s way of dealing with emotions that are too painful to face directly. It
may take some time before your friend or family member is even willing to admit to having a
problem. Lecturing, getting upset, or issuing ultimatums won’t help the situation. Instead,
make it clear that you care about the person’s health and happiness and you’ll continue to be
there for him or her.
(Source: Adapted from National Eating Disorder Association)
Seeking professional help
Aside from offering support, the most important thing you can do for a person with an
eating disorder is to encourage treatment. The longer an eating disorder remains undiagnosed
and untreated, the harder it is on the body and the more difficult to overcome, so urge your
loved one to see a doctor right away.
A doctor can assess your loved one’s symptoms, provide an accurate diagnosis, and
screen for medical problems that might be involved. The doctor can also determine whether
there are any coexisting conditions that require treatment, such as depression, substance
abuse, or an anxiety disorder.
If your friend or family member is hesitant to see a doctor, ask him or her to get a
physical just to put your worries to rest. It may help if you offer to make the appointment or go
along on the first visit.
USA STATISTICS
According to the first nationally representative study of eating disorders in the United
States, which appeared in the February 2007 edition of Biological Psychiatry, an estimated 0.6
to 4.5 percent of individuals suffer from an eating disorder in their lifetime.
Here are some eating disorders statistics from other various other US organisations,
which were all obtained from their corresponding websites:
The Alliance for Eating Disorders Awareness:
At least 50,000 individuals will die as a direct result of their eating disorder.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration:
More than 90 percent of those who have eating disorders are women between the ages of 12
and 25.
National Eating Disorders Association:
Most people with severe eating disorders do not receive sufficient care.
Up to 10 million females and 1 million males struggle with eating disorders such as
anorexia and bulimia. Binge eating disorder is experienced by millions more.
Eating Disorders, the Journal of Treatment and Prevention:
Up to 80 percent of women exhibit signs of an eating disorder at some stage.
An estimated 19 to 30 percent of college females are diagnosed with an eating disorder.
Between 1 and 5 percent of adolescent women meet the criteria for an eating disorder
diagnosis.
Eating Disorders Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS) develop in 4 to 6 percent of the
general population.
Fifty percent of individuals who present for treatment of an eating disorder receive the
diagnosis of EDNOS.
The Renfrew Center Foundation:
Up to 24 million people in the United States experience an eating disorder.
Nearly 50 percent of Americans know someone with an eating disorder.
Fifteen percent of young women in the United States show considerable disordered
eating attitudes and behaviours.
Only 10 percent of men and women with eating disorders obtain treatment.
Just 35 percent of people with eating disorders that receive treatment do so from a
specialist eating disorder treatment centre.
Roughly 80 percent of females who receive treatment for their eating disorder do not
get the intensity of treatment needed in order to stay in recovery.
Patients released from treatment while their weight is still below 85 percent of what is
considered normal, have a relapse rate of 50 percent.
Nearly half of people with eating disorders meet the criteria for depression.
Young women with type 1 diabetes have a higher incidence of eating disorders than
young women in the general population.
Approximately 72 percent of alcoholic women below 30 years of age have an eating
disorder.
National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders:
86 percent of people report the onset of their eating disorder by the age of 20.
10 percent of people report the onset of their eating disorder at 10 years or younger.
33 percent of people report the onset of their eating disorder between the ages of 1115.
43 percent of people report the onset of their eating disorder between the ages of 1620.
77 percent of people report the duration of their eating disorder from one to fifteen
years.
30 percent of people report the duration of their eating disorder from one to five years.
31 percent of people report the duration of their eating disorder from six to ten years.
16 percent of people report the duration of their eating disorder from eleven to fifteen
years.
Only 50 percent of people report being cured.