As people are becoming more overweight than ever before, society is placing higher value on a thin, fit physique. Consequently, almost everyone is concerned about their weight and body image. Some people take matters to extremes, to the point where unhealthy eating behaviors threaten their health and cause psychiatric problems.
When people focus too much on body shape, it can lead to dangerous behaviors which prevent the body from getting enough nutrition. Eating disorders lead to a wide variety of health problems that harm the digestive system and the heart or lead to diseases like hypertension and diabetes. There are many different types of eating disorders, but the three most common ones are anorexia, bulimia and binge-eating disorder. Each of these disorders causes their own specific harmful effects on the body and the psyche.
Anorexia
Anorexia, clinically named “anorexia nervosa,” is characterized by distorted perception of body size, extreme fear of gaining weight, and below-normal body weight. Anorexics go to great lengths to control their weight to the point where it interferes with other life activities and negatively impacts health.
Anorexics use severe methods to lose weight, such as starvation, excessive exercise, diet pills, laxatives or vomiting. Long periods of starvation and malnutrition lead to serious health problems and sometimes even death. The disease is often accompanied by depression and mood irregularities which sometimes lead to suicide.
Bulimia
Bulimia, clinically named “bulimia nervosa,” is characterized by sessions of overeating followed by vomiting or excessive exercise in order to eliminate excess calories from binging, which is referred to as “purging.” People with bulimia may tend to restrict their eating during the day, which leads to bingeing and purging at night. Bulimics tend to be normal weight or slightly overweight and have high anxiety or obsession with their weight. Bulimics often become depressed and are at risk for suicide.
Binge-eating disorder (BED)
People who have this disorder eat meals consisting of excessive food portions, continuing to eat even after they’re uncomfortably full. This is referred to as bingeing. People with this disorder often feel guilt or self-loathing after a binge, but they won’t engage in purging activities such as vomiting or prolonged exercise sessions. Binge eaters often find ways to secretly eat alone to avoid embarrassment or ridicule. The disorder can cause people to be overweight or obese, but some binge eaters are of normal weight.
Frequently Asked Questions about Eating Disorders
Q: What’s the difference between bulimia and anorexia?
A: Like bulimics, some anorexics also binge and purge, but they tend to be underweight, while bulimics tend to be normal weight or overweight. Anorexics typically undergo starvation or extremely low-calorie diets for long periods of time, which is not the case for bulimics.
Q: Are women more likely to have eating disorders?
A: Eating disorders are more frequent in young women and girls than in males, except for binge-eating disorder, which occurs in males and females about equally. About one third of people with eating disorders are male. About .5 percent of women develop anorexia, while bulimia occurs in two to three percent of women.
Anorexia Questions
Q: What causes anorexia?
A: The causes of anorexia are not completely understood. A number of factors are usually involved, including biological factors, social interaction, family life and psychological factors. Low-calorie diets are believed to be a risk factor, as they cause mood changes and reduced appetite. There may also be a hereditary component, as people who have a parent or sibling with the disorder are at higher risk.
Q: What are signs that a person may have anorexia?
A: If a teen or preadolescent is growing but not gaining weight, it is a possible sign of anorexia. People with anorexia often state that they look too fat, even though they’re underweight. Other signs include:
- Frequently weighing themselves
- Refusal to eat or making excuses to avoid eating
- Excessive exercise
- Baggy or layered clothing
- Limiting diet to low-calorie foods
- Eating tiny bites or portion sizes
- Depression or lack of emotion
Q: What are symptoms and effects of severe anorexia?
A: Anorexia, characterized by long periods of starvation and malnutrition, causes many health problems that can be irreversible and often fatal. Some of the severe effects of the disorder include:
- Extremely low body weight and skeletal appearance
- Low blood pressure
- Dizziness or fainting spells
- Irregular heart rhythm
- Furry hair growth on the skin, which is clinically termed “lanugo”
Q: How is anorexia diagnosed?
A: There are no medical tests specifically for anorexia, but if a doctor suspects a person has the disorder, he or she will conduct tests to detect signs of malnutrition and other health problems associated with anorexia.
Q: How is anorexia treated?
A: Anorexia is treated by a combination of psychological therapy, nutritional rehabilitation to restore normal weight and behavior monitoring. Patients who resist gaining weight are sometimes admitted to inpatient programs where they’re closely monitored. When normal weight is maintained for several months, patients tend to have improved appetite and less dissatisfaction with their body image.
Q: How likely is death from anorexia?
A: Anorexia is the most lethal of all psychiatric disorders. According to a study conducted at the University of Leicester, an anorexic person’s risk of early death is six times higher than average and four times higher than people with major depression. For people diagnosed in their twenties, the risk of death is 18 times higher. One in five anorexia-related deaths is from suicide.
Bulimia Questions
Q: What causes bulimia?
A: The exact causes are not completely understood, but there are several known risk factors. Bulimics have anxiety about their inability to control their diet and weight. Having family members with bulimia also increases risk. Stressful life events can trigger bingeing and purging. People with the disorder often have feelings of hopelessness and low self-esteem.
Q: What are signs and symptoms of bulimia?
A: Frequent bingeing and purging will have some noticeable side-effects. People with the disorder may have a chronic sore throat, acid reflux, intestinal problems from laxative abuse, kidney problems and dehydration. Bulimics are very concerned about body shape and may exercise excessively.
Q: How is bulimia treated?
A: Treatment is tailored to individual needs. Patients may undergo psychotherapy, group therapy and nutritional counseling. Doctors may also prescribe antidepressants.
Q: How serious is bulimia?
A: Bulimia can be mild, moderate, severe or extreme, depending on the frequency of binge-purge cycles the patient has per week. About 1 to 4% of females will develop bulimia during their life. The number is much less common in males. Vomiting and laxatives create electrolyte imbalance that hinders the function of the heart. In some cases, heart attacks and death can occur. Bulimia can also cause fatigue, seizures and high blood pressure.
Binge-eating disorder questions
Q: What causes binge-eating disorder (BED)?
A: The exact cause is not known, but there are some known contributing risk factors. Some biological factors such as hormonal irregularities and genetic factors may contribute to compulsive eating or food addiction. Depression is associated with binge eating in many cases, as are low self-esteem and difficulty managing emotions. People who are bullied about their weight are at higher risk to develop binge eating disorder.
Q: What are signs and symptoms of binge-eating disorder?
A: People with the disorder usually conceal their bingeing, but there are some signs to look for, such as:
- Uncomfortable eating around others or in public
- Stealing or hoarding food in unusual places
- Withdrawal from social activities
- Eating alone often
- Showing feelings of guilt or disgust after eating
- gastrointestinal distress
Q: What are the health consequences of BED?
A: BED can cause obesity, large changes in weight both up and down, known as "yo-yo dieting," social stigma and ridicule. The health consequences of BED are mostly from obesity. Some of these health problems include:
- Type 2 diabetes
- Hypertension
- Heart disease
- Some cancers
- Kidney and liver problems
- Gallbladder disease
- Sleep apnea
Q: Do most obese people have BED?
A: Most people who are obese do not have binge-eating disorder; however, about two-thirds of binge eaters are clinically obese, and some people with BED are of normal weight.
Q: How is BED treated?
A: Binge-eating disorder is usually treated by psychotherapy and/or group therapy. Various types of psychotherapy can be helpful, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), interpersonal therapy and dialectic behavioral therapy. Doctors may also prescribe antidepressants and some drugs that have been shown to help reduce binge-eating. Some binge-eaters who are overweight may benefit from weight-loss programs under medical supervision.
