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Eating Disorders Overview

By: Jolie Gerges

What are eating disorders?

There is a common misconception that eating disorders are a choice. Eating disorders are fatal illnesses
that are due to a disturbance in people’s eating behaviors, thoughts, and emotions. Constant concern with
food, body weight and shape are huge red flags for eating disorders. Some common eating disorders
include anorexia, bulimia, and binge-eating disorder. Eating disorders affect up to 5% of the population.

What causes eating disorders?

Scientists don’t know what exactly causes eating disorders to develop as it is widely understood that
these disorders are complicated illnesses. There are biological, psychological, and environmental factors
involved in eating disorders. Some eating disorders run in families. It has also been found that people with
eating disorders have different brain activity patterns than healthy people.

Who is at risk for eating disorders?

Eating disorders can affect people of all ages, sizes and backgrounds. These disorders, however, very
frequently appear during teen years and are more common in women (this doesn’t mean that men don’t
get eating disorders).

What are some signs and symptoms?

Although there are many varying symptoms based on the type of eating disorder, there are some clear
and common signs of an eating disorder:
- Feeling distressed, ashamed or guilty about eating
- Frequently dieting
- Intensive and extensive exercise
- Completely abstaining from food
These are only a few of the many symptoms. These might not seem so bad, however, over time these
lead to many health complications depending on the type of eating disorder.

What are treatments for eating disorders?

Some common treatments include:
- Psychotherapy- this may be done individually or in a group. This helps change negative thoughts,
build coping skills, and change behavioral patterns.
- Nutrition counseling- healthcare professionals will help the patient to maintain a healthy regime.
There also may be medications and medical monitoring. Treatment plans are made based on the patient.

Eating Disorders Helpline

- Call (800) 931-2237
- Monday—Thursday 11am—9pm ET
- Friday 11am—5pm ET
- https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/help-support/contact-helpline
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Works Cited

APA. “What Are Eating Disorders?” American Psychiatric Association,

www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/eating-disorders/what-are-eating-disorders.

Accessed 16 Feb. 2022.

MedlinePlus. “Eating Disorders.” MedlinePlus, medlineplus.gov/eatingdisorders.html. Accessed

16 Feb. 2022.

NIMH. “Eating Disorders.” National Institute of Mental Health,

www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/eating-disorders. Accessed 16 Feb. 2022.