Eating Disorders

Eating disorders usually develop during the adolescent stage or early adulthood which is a crucial period when you are trying to find your identity. Plus, sales campaigns and the fashion trends dictate a certain body type pushing them more to develop an eating disorder in the hopes of trying to attain that body figure. Eating disorders can have harmful health complications on our body including kidney failure and heart related conditions all of which can lead dangerously to death. But an eating disorder is a treatable disease.

Anorexia Nervosa is one type of eating disorder. It is characterized by a fear of growing fat and of putting on weight despite being underweight from the normal weight required for a particular age and height. Here, the affected individual consistently denies how seriously low her body weight is. People who have this disorder feel that they are fat and overweight despite the fact that they are thin. They constantly check their body weight and develop unacceptable eating behavior, which includes either overly exercising or vomiting the food they take in an effort to control their weight or lose additional weight.

Bulimia Nervosa is another type of eating disorder. People who develop this do binge eating and lack control over eating too much. Feeling guilty after overeating these bulimic individuals purge or eliminate their food intake by performing a self-induced vomit, excessively exercising, misusing laxatives and other medications. Like anorexic people they also feel the need to lose weight, the fear of putting on weight and are totally dissatisfied with their body figures. Many bulimic individuals purge themselves in secrecy. They at first feel absolutely guilty after they binge, but feel a sense of relief after they purge or vomit.

Another type of eating disorder is binge eating. Binge eating is somewhat similar to Bulimia Nervosa, with the notable difference that people who develop this eating disorder do not purge themselves. Because of this, many binge eating individuals are overweight for their required weight based on their age.

Eating disorders are treatable illnesses. The earlier these disorders are detected, diagnosed and treated the better will be the outcome and the sooner the recovery. Eating disorders can be very complex and require a comprehensive treatment that can involve medication, counseling on nutrition, psychosocial intervention and consistent monitoring. Quite often, after the initial diagnosis, hospitalization may be required if the patient’s life is in imminent danger.

Many people who develop eating disorders deny their illnesses and may even resist getting treatment. In such a case, treatment can be long term especially if the patient is unwilling. Family members and friends should provide the necessary care and support to help ensure recovery and rehabilitation.