The Perils of Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are conditions defined by abnormal eating habits that may involve either insufficient or excessive food intake to the detriment of an individual's physical and mental health.

Examples ● Anorexia Nervosa ● Binge Eating ● Bulimia Nervosa

Causes There are many causes of eating disorders, including biological, psychological and/or environmental abnormalities. Many people with eating disorders suffer also from body dysmorphic disorder, altering the way a person sees themselves. There are also many other possibilities such as environmental, social and interpersonal issues that could promote and sustain these illnesses.

Anorexia Nervosa ● People who intentionally starve themselves. ● Usually begins at a young age around the time of puberty ● Intense fear of becoming fat

Signs of Anorexia ● Making your self throw up ● Taking pills to have a bowel movement ● Taking diet pills ● Not eating or eating very little ● Weighing food and counting calories ● Moving food around the plate instead of eating it

Dangers of Anorexia ● Starvation ● Amenorrhea - Absence of menstruation ● Impotence - Erectile dysfunction

Psychiatric/Physical illnesses of Anorexia ● Depression ● Anxiety ● Obsessive behavior ● Substance Abuse ● Issues with heart and brain ● Problems with physical developement

Bulimia Nervosa ● An eating disorder where people consume large amounts of food and then rid their bodies of the excess calories using unhealthy methods. There are two sorts of bulimia: purging bulimia and non-purging bulimia.

Bulimia Nervosa Cont. ● Typically begins during adolescence. ● Most often in women ● Likely to be found in people who -Participate in activities that stress body image -Have obese families -suffer from perfectionism -recovering from trauma

Purging bulimics ● Vomiting ● Abusing laxatives ● Diuretics ● Enemas

Non-purging bulimics ● Exercising obsessively ● Fasting ● Extreme dieting

Dangers of Bulimia ● Tooth decay ● Osteoporosis ● Dehydration ● Esophagus inflammation ● Fainting or loss of consciousness ● Low body temperature ● Long-term bowel problems ● Increased suicide risk

Binge Eating ● Disorder in which the person has episodes of uncontrolled eating or bingeing. ● About 2% of the population has the disorder ● More common in women

Causes of Binge Eating ● Depression ● Social pressure

Dangers of Binge eating ● Obesity ● Type two diabetes ● Gallbladder disease ● High cholesterol ● High blood pressure ● Heart disease

Emotional Symptoms of Binge Eating ● Feeling stress that is only relieved be eating ● Embarrassment over how much you're eating ● Feeling numb while binging, or you're in the zone while you eat ● Never feeling satisfied no matter how much you eat ● Feeling guilty, disgusted, or depressed after bingeing