About Eating Disorders[i]

 

Eating Disorders are extreme expressions of a range of weight and food issues experienced by both men and women.  Although they currently all into three distinct diagnostic categories (which are evolving), it is common for individuals to have symptoms of more than one type of eating disorder at a time.  All are serious medical and psychological problems with potentially life threatening consequences.

 

Anorexia Nervosa is characterized by an intense fear of body fat and weight gain.  The individual maintains a weight that is less than 85% of normal, denies the seriousness of their low weight and experiences feeling “fat” even when emaciation is clear to others.  Some anorexics severely restrict their food intake and others binge and purge.

 

Bulimia (also called Bulimia Nervosa) typically refers to binge eating followed by compensatory weight loss behaviours of a purging (e.g., self induced vomiting, diuretic or laxative abuse) or non-purging (e.g., restricting, excessive exercise) nature.  Although individuals with bulimia are usually within a healthy weight range, they are preoccupied by food, weight and body concerns.

 

Eating Disorders Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS) is a diagnosis for individuals who meet some – but not all – of the criteria for anorexia nervosa or bulimia.

 

Binge Eating Disorder (sometimes called compulsive eating) is a subcategory of EDNOS that is characterized by repeated periods of impulsive gorging or continuous eating with the regular compensatory behaviours.

 

Causes of eating disorders are multidimensional and include genetics, family background, trauma, and our culture’s idealization of thinness.

 

Symptoms include depression, low self esteem, poor body image, anxiety, loneliness, problems with relationships, and obsession with food and weight.

 

Behaviours such as restricting, bingeing and purging are initially a method of coping with painful feelings and situations become addictive, undermining physical health, self esteem, and a sense of competence and self control.

 

Professional Treatment to understand and overcome the underlying causes, symptoms, and behaviours is recommended.  Eating Disorders do not remit without professional treatment.