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Eating Disorders
Clinical eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder. When most people hear of someone with an eating disorder they almost automatically assume the person has a problem with food.
Treatment for Eating Disorders
Treatment can save the life of someone with an eating disorder. Friends, relatives, teachers, therapists, dietitians, peer support groups and physicians all play an important role in helping the ill person start and stay with a treatment program.
Eating Disorders and Dieting.
Dieting is known to be one of the most powerful triggers for the development of an eating disorder in both women and men.
How do I know if I have an eating disorder
You can be fairly certain that you have an eating problem if your eating behaviour or attitudes about weight interrupt your life and take pleasure out of it. Typically, people with eating problems are preoccupied with their weight, shape and the food they are consuming.
All eating disorders are expressions of underlying psycho-social problems. Both anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are characterized by fear of weight gain, feelings of ineffectiveness and low self-esteem.
Anorexia nervosa is identified by drastic weight loss from extreme food restriction. Most individuals with anorexia don't recognize how underweight they are. Even when down to 80 pounds, these individuals may still "feel fat", making it difficult to convince them to seek help. Alternatively, they may know that they are emaciated but experience an intense fear of food.
Bulimia nervosa is identified by frequent fluctuations in weight, with periods of uncontrollable binge eating followed by some form of purging to rid the body of the unwanted calories. This can be through self-induced vomiting, laxative abuse, excessive exercising, or fasting. Each of these methods are harmful and counter-productive.
Binge-eating disorder, or compulsive eating, may be described as food intake that:
- is emotionally "driven" to the point of physical discomfort or beyond,
- often occurs in secret,
- is experienced as comforting to the individual and
- may be a continuation of a regular meal or initiated apart from meals.
This type of behaviour is different from bulimia in that it is not followed by any form of purging.
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