Any eating disorder has a potential for possible fatal results if not caught and treated. Eating disorders are seen more often in females than in males. Eating disorders can occur in anyone including athletes. Some people believe that eating disorders, focus around the desire for the person to be thin with a misconception of self as not perfect. While this may be true in the beginning, there are other underlying problems that are mental and/or physical that can lead to eating disorders. There are different types of eating disorders such as, anorexia or anorexia nervosa, bulimia, and binge eating. Eating disorders can be a combination of any of these or all of them. Eating disorders are very dangerous and can be potentially fatal.
What are some of the causes of eating disorders?
There is no clear cut cause found for someone developing an eating disorder. Eating disorders arise from a number of different factors. Some of those factors are related to emotional issues, social factors, behavioral problems, and psychological. Food may be used as a control mechanism. Food is controlled in the amount, kinds, and times that the person eats. This may give a sense of control that is missing in other areas. An example of a situation could be a cause is the social pressure of peers to be thin. You can't control the situation but you can control your diet. Other contributing factors include, low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, trouble with interpersonal relationships. Past experiences can be a trigger for a eating disorder, such as a history of being teased, or physical or sexual abuse. Cultural pressures are another cause for some people who feel the need to have a perfect body.
What do you look for when you suspect that someone may have an eating disorder?
Some of the symptoms to look for in someone who may have an eating disorder such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia are a refusal to maintain body weight appropriate for that person, intense fear of being fat, over exercising, and/or binge eating then purging. They tend to become very angry when anyone confronts them about dieting or eating habits. You may also see someone who uses excessive laxatives, diet pills and/or diuretics. With females you may see a loss of menses. Someone with an eating disorder is obsessed with their weight, and no matter how thin they see themselves, they think they are still fat.
What are the treatment options available for eating disorders?
First is a complete physical to address any damage or problems that may have occurred due to the eating disorder. The physician will request blood to be drawn for lab work. He or she may also request x-rays, scans and more. The physician may recommend that the person be seen by social service person who can connect them with any programs available with in their community. Psychological treatment is needed to work on the causes associated with eating disorders and to help the person to change negative self destructive behaviors.
There are a great number of resources available for people with eating disorders. Some of these can be found by visiting your local health department who can give you a list of support groups. Resources that can get you started on the road to help and understanding of eating disorders are as follows:
Eating Disorder Referral and Information Center (858)-481-1515
National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) (800)-931-2237
Eating Disorders Anonymous (EDA) (866)-690-7239
Healing Connections, Inc. (617)-558-1881
The resources listed here are only a few that is available for help and information. No one should let eating disorders disrupt their life and cause potentially fatal consequences.
