If you find yourself engaging in unhealthy eating patterns, it’s crucial to seek treatment immediately. Untreated eating disorders can lead to serious health consequences including cardiovascular disease, digestive problems and kidney damage.
Your doctor will ask questions about your eating habits and perform a full health exam, providing treatment options such as psychotherapy (talk therapy) and medications as appropriate.
Anorexia nervosa
Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a serious eating disorder that can result in dramatic weight loss, malnutrition and life-threatening medical problems. Additionally, depression caused by this condition may lead to self-harm as well as withdrawing from friends and family as well as interfering with work/education, leading to low self-esteem issues or alcohol misuse.
An eating disorder affects individuals of all ages, races and socioeconomic backgrounds – from young children to the elderly. Its causes may range from genetics, sexual abuse or trauma history and stress to anxiety or depression. Individuals suffering from anorexia have an overwhelming desire to be thin; their body image becomes altered through extreme self-criticism while weight gain becomes terrifyingly real to them.
If you recognize any of the symptoms of anorexia, seek assistance as soon as possible. Early diagnosis and treatment offer your best chance for full recovery; optimal treatments include medical intervention focused on nutritional rehabilitation, diet and exercise regimes and psychotherapy.
Bulimia nervosa
People suffering from bulimia overeat (binge eating). After feeling ashamed, guilty or powerless they use compensatory behaviors – such as vomiting themselves up or taking laxatives – in an effort to make up for it and feel in control again. Other times they may use extreme exercise as well. Overeating can have serious health repercussions.
Binge and purge cycles can cause lasting damage to the body. Stomach acid can contribute to tooth decay and gum disease; regular vomiting may irritate throat tissue and result in hoarse voices; swelling salivary glands in the mouth may increase, creating puffy lips (known as “bulimia face”). Furthermore, using Ipecac syrup over an extended period may result in permanent heart damage.
Treatment for Bulimia Nervosa typically entails both psychotherapy and medication. Cognitive behavioral therapy aims at changing negative thoughts about weight and shape while dialectical behavior therapy teaches skills for managing distress while strengthening relationships.
Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID)
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder, commonly referred to as ARFID, is characterized by eating habits which restrict both variety and volume of foods consumed. People suffering from ARFID may lose weight from an inadequate caloric intake as well as develop nutritional deficiencies; anxiety and discomfort at meals; difficulties during family mealtimes; as well as problems at school and work are among its hallmarks.
ARFID differs from anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa because it does not involve body image distortion or an obsessive fear of choking or vomiting; nonetheless, individuals suffering from ARFID still face difficulty eating, often malnourished and needing enteral nutrition support in order to survive.
ARFID can often co-occur with other mental health conditions, including autism spectrum disorder or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder; or as the result of trauma. Treatment typically entails working with a team of specialists such as a doctor, dietician and therapist who specialize in eating disorders; speech-language pathologists may be necessary in order to rule out swallowing/choking issues in some instances.
Body dysmorphia
Eating disorders affect people of both genders, all age groups and all races; these serious conditions cause emotional, physical and social distress for victims.
Symptoms of body dysmorphia include preoccupation with appearance and the belief that certain aspects of one’s body or parts thereof are flawed or ugly, unlike insecurity or vanity, according to Psycom. It differs from simple insecurity or vanity in that specific areas such as face, stomach, thighs, arms or legs may become preoccupied, with repeated mirror checking, hair pulling (trichotillomania) or skin picking becoming ritualistic practices; avoidance of social activities and weight loss medications or cosmetic surgery may also contribute to one’s dissatisfaction with self-worth issues.
Experts do not fully understand what causes body dysmorphia; however, some believe there may be genetic ties. Furthermore, other mental health conditions like anxiety and depression could play a part. Peer pressure or culture which equates beauty with thinness or muscularity could also play a part.
