Eating Disorders
Eating Disorders
This disorder is a quite serious condition characterized by persistent eating behavior that will impact negatively on health, emotions and in general quality of life. Most common eating disorders are:
- Anorexia nervosa
- Bulimia nervosa
- Binge-eating disorder
- Rumination disorder
- Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder
Symptoms
Anorexia nervosa
- It is a life-threatening condition characterized by abnormally low weight of body, intense distressing fear of gaining weight, distorted perception of weight or body shape.
- Patients excessively cut off calories in the diet.
- Patients do intense work out to loose weight
- Self-starvation
Bulimia nervosa
- It is also a life-threatening condition characterized by episodes of bingeing and purging that involve feeling a lack of control over your eating.
- Patients usually eat large amount of foods in short time
- Patients try to get rid of extra calories in unhealthy way
- Patients may force vomiting or take laxatives to get rid of calories because of guilt and shame
Binge-eating disorder
- This disorder is characterized by regularly eating too much food and feeling lack of control over eating followed by feeling of guilt, shame and disgust.
Causes
Main cause of eating disorders is not known. Some factors are known to play role in the development of this disorder. They are:
- Genetic and biological factors
- Psychological health
- Emotional health
Complications
- Other serious health problems
- Anxiety and depression
- Suicidal behavior
- Substance abuse
- Development and growth problem
- Death
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of eating disorders depends upon detailed medical history and complete general physical examination of the patient. Psychological evaluation of the patient is also done by mental health professionals to pinpoint the diagnosis.
Treatment
Treatment options include:
- Planning healthy eating habits and diets and sticking to the plan
- Talk therapy or psychotherapy
- Medications like antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications are used to manage the symptoms. But medications can’t cure eating disorders.