Eating Disorders

“I’m anorexic. My family and friends keep trying to make me eat. I want to make them happy but I can’t eat. I just can’t.” – 13-year-old

Eating or not eating to feel better about yourself, to avoid your feelings, or to try to feel like you’re in control is not healthy. This misuse of food is called an eating disorder. Eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulimia, and compulsive overeating. They are all serious emotional problems that can have life-threatening physical consequences.

ANOREXIA NERVOSA is characterized primarily by self-starvation and excessive weight-loss. It can be very serious, even deadly. Most people with anorexia are thin but don’t see themselves that way. Weight is lost through fasting, excessive exercise, and/or purging.

SYMPTOMS OF ANOREXIA:

• Loss of at least 15% of body weight
• Intense fear of weight gain
• Distorted body image
• In females, loss of three consecutive menstrual periods
• Insistence of keeping weight below a healthy minimum

BULIMIA is characterized primarily by a cycle of binge eating followed by purging. After eating compulsively, a bulimic will throw up, take laxatives or pills to make the body lose water weight, engage in excessive exercise, or fast (eat no food at all). Negative effects include: ulcers, hernias, ruptured stomach or esophagus, dental problems, even heart attacks.

SYMPTOMS OF BULIMIA:

• Repeated episodes of binge eating and purging
• Feeling out of control during a binge
• Purging after a binge
• Frequent dieting
• Extreme concern with body weight and shape

COMPULSIVE OVEREATING is characterized primarily by periods of impulsive or continuous overeating and dieting resulting in recurrent weight gain and loss. Compulsive overeaters eventually become addicted to food, losing control over the amounts of food they eat. Compulsive overeaters are not always overweight. Body weight may vary from normal to mild, moderate, or severe obesity.

SYMPTOMS OF COMPULSIVE OVEREATING:

• Unable to control food intake
• Repeated attempts to diet, but weight is always gained back, plus additional pounds
• Feelings of guilt or shame after eating
• Eating for emotional comfort, to escape worries or trouble
• Eating when not hungry
• Eating sensibly in front of others, then bingeing when alone

What causes eating disorders?

There isn’t an easy answer. Psychological issues, particularly perfectionist personality traits, and learned behavior all contribute. Also, some may have a biochemical imbalance that makes them prone to these disorders. Our culture encourages people to base self-worth on body weight and shape, so some people may see themselves as a less valuable person if they do not fit “cultural norms.”

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