Learning About a Serious but Treatable Mental Health Condition

Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses that affect an individual’s relationship with food, body image, and weight. They are not about “dieting” or “wanting to be thin.” Instead, they are complex illnesses involving psychological, biological, and social factors.

These diseases can affect anyone any age, gender, ethnicity, or background and often have severe physical and emotional consequences.

1. Anorexia Nervosa

• Extreme restriction of food, severe fear of weight gain, and distorted body image.

• Health risks: extreme thinness, cardiovascular problems, brittle bones, infertility, and in severe cases, death.

2. Bulimia Nervosa

• Involves repeated cycles of overeating and compensatory behavior such as vomiting, excessive exercise, or laxative abuse.

• Health risks: electrolyte imbalance, gastrointestinal disturbances, erosion of the teeth, and cardiovascular disease.

3. Binge-Eating Disorder (BED)

• Defined by the recurrent episodes of eating abnormally large amounts of food in a limited period, often leading to shame and guilt.

• Medical risks: obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and depression.

4. Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorders (OSFED)

• Includes eating disorders that do not fit neatly into the above but are still severe and harmful.

Several factors influence eating disorders:

•Genetics and biology: A family history of eating disorders or other mental illness makes one vulnerable.

•Psychological factors: Low self-esteem, perfectionism, or trauma may be contributing factors.

•Cultural and social pressures: Media portrayal of body image, societal beauty standards, or peer pressure can play a role.

•Life changes: Adolescence, starting college, or stressful life changes might trigger symptoms.

•Preoccupation with food, dieting, weight, or shape

•Involuntary weight loss or frequent weight changes

•Eating in secret or avoiding meals

•Food rituals (cutting food into very small pieces, rigid meal times)

•Excessive exercise in spite of fatigue or injury

•Social withdrawal

•Mood swings such as irritability, anxiety, or depression

Professional diagnosis and treatment are required for eating disorders. Diagnosis typically includes:

•Medical history and physical examination

•Psychological assessment

•Nutritional evaluation

Treatment is typically:

•Psychotherapy (such as cognitive behavior therapy, family therapy, or interpersonal therapy)

•Re-establishment of healthy eating habits through nutrition counseling

•Medical management for complications

•Medication, if necessary, to treat co-morbid anxiety, depression, or obsessive-compulsive symptomatology

Early treatment correlates most strongly with better outcome.

Recovery from an eating disorder is achievable, but it is rarely a quick or straight one. A person requires the backing of family, peers, and healthcare workers. Having a setting that lacks judgment and stigma makes a significant impact in encouraging individuals to get and remain in treatment.

Eating disorders are not way of life, they are serious mental illness that require understanding, compassion, and professional care. With the right assistance and treatment, recovery is achievable.

If you or someone you know may have an eating disorder, reaching out to a healthcare professional is the first step toward recovery.