INFORMATION ON EATING DISORDERS

Eating disorders involve serious disturbances in eating behavior, such as extreme and unhealthy reduction of food intake or severe overeating, as well as feelings of distress or extreme concern about body shape or weight. Researchers are investigating how and why initially voluntary behaviors, such as eating smaller or larger amounts of food than usual, at some point move beyond control in some people and develop into an eating disorder. Research shows that more than 90 percent of those who have eating disorders are women between the ages of 12 and 25. Eating disorders frequently co-occur with other psychiatric disorders such as depression, substance abuse, and anxiety disorders. Recognition of eating disorders as real and treatable diseases, therefore, is critically important.

SYNONYMS OF EATING DISORDERS

Synonyms and related keywords:
1. Anorexia.
2. Anorexia nervosa.
3. Eating disorders.
4. Excessive weight loss.
5. Anorexiant.
6. Diminished appetite.
7. Aversion to food.
8. Sychiatric disorder.

TYPES OF EATING DISORDERS

The types of eating disorders are:
1. Anorexia Nervosa.
2. Bulimia Nervosa.
3. Binge Eating Disorder, And
4. Eating Disorders not otherwise specified.

CAUSES OF EATING DISORDERS

There are many theories, many interwoven factors, and no one simple answer that covers person with an eating disorder. For any particular individual, some or all of the following factors will combine to produce starving, stuffing, and purging. Eating disorders are complex conditions caused by a combination of individual, family, interpersonal, biological, socio-cultural, and precipitating factors.

Some of the main causes are:
1. Self-esteem issues, Social anxiety.
2. Depression, feelings of lack of control.
3. Poor communication and support within the family.
4. Lack of emotional bonding and dealing with feelings within the family.
5. Family values that magnify the importance of appearance.
6. Lack of a focus on the importance of family life.
7. Dysfunctional body image and dieting behavior of parents.
8. History of being teased or bullied because of weight or shape.
9. Ineffective coping strategies.
10. Biological factors that may help to cause an eating disorder.

SYMPTOMS OF EATING DISORDERS

Symptoms of eating disorder are:
1. Weight loss.
2. Weight gain.
3. Bingeing.
4. Purgeing.
5. Obession with food.
6. Secrecy.
7. Guilt about eating.
8. Emaciation.
9. Obesity.
10. Menstrual abnormalities.

DIAGNOSIS OF EATING DISORDERS

Early diagnosis with intervention and earlier age at diagnosis are correlated with improved outcomes in patients who have eating disorders.

TREATMENT OF EATING DISORDERS

The process begins with an evaluation by a physician or psychiatrist. Physical complications of an eating disorder will resolve, once healthy eating and normal weight have been achieved. The intensity of the treatment required and the need for outpatient or inpatient therapy should be determined based on the severity of the individual's disease Treatment of eating disorders are nutritional rehabilitation, weight restoration, stopping weight decreasing behaviors, improvement in eating behaviors, and improvement of psychological and emotional states.