Understanding Eating Disorders
What are eating disorders?
Eating disorders are not just about food. They are complex mental health disorders, can be life threatening and effect millions of people worldwide. They encompass conditions like Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, and Binge-Eating Disorder, which often involve extreme emotions, attitudes, and behaviours toward food and body image. Eating disorders are severely detrimental to the physical, emotional and social health of suffers.
All eating disorders should be taken seriously and it is never as simple as “just eat”.
Important facts about Eating Disorders
1. Prevalence: Eating disorders can affect individuals of any gender, age, or background. According to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), approximately 30 million people in the United States alone will experience an eating disorder at some point in their lives.
2. Health Consequences: Eating disorders can have detrimental effects on both physical and psychological well-being. They can lead to malnutrition, electrolyte imbalances, osteoporosis, heart problems, organ failure, hormonal disturbances, depression, anxiety, and even death in severe cases.
3. Causes: Eating disorders are influenced by a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, psychological, and social factors. Genetic predisposition, body image dissatisfaction, history of dieting, low self-esteem, trauma, and cultural pressures all contribute to the development of eating disorders.
4. Body Image Distortion: Individuals with eating disorders often struggle with distorted body image perception. They perceive themselves as overweight or obese, even when significantly underweight or within normal weight ranges. This distorted perception contributes to their self-destructive eating behaviors.
5. Co-Occurring Disorders: Eating disorders often co-occur with other mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and substance use disorders. These comorbidities make treatment more complex and challenging.
6. Mortality Rate: Eating disorders are among the deadliest mental illnesses, second only to opioid overdose. 10,200 deaths each year are the direct result of an eating disorder—that's one death every 52 minutes. About 26% of people with eating disorders attempt suicide.
Types of Eating Disorders
Anorexia Nervosa: Characterised by severe food restriction and fear of gaining weight.
Bulimia Nervosa: Involves recurrent episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviours.
Binge-Eating Disorder: Frequent episodes of eating large amounts of food without compensatory behaviours.
OSFED ‘other specified feeding or eating disorder’: People with OSFED have symptoms that are similar to one or more eating disorders, but may not meet all the criteria for these conditions.
Early warning signs & symptoms.
Recognising the signs of an eating disorder is crucial. Some common indicators include:
extreme weight loss or gain,
preoccupation with food and body image,
secretive behaviour around eating,
frequent dieting and
obsessive over exercise.
How can you get help?
Treatment Options: Early intervention is crucial in the successful treatment of eating disorders. Treatment typically involves a multidisciplinary approach, including medical, nutritional, and psychological interventions. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), family-based therapy, and medication may be used to address the underlying psychological issues and promote sustainable recovery.
Recovery: Recovery from an eating disorder is possible with the right professional help, support, and commitment. It is a long and challenging journey, but with proper treatment, individuals can develop a healthier relationship with food, improve self-esteem, and regain control of their lives.
Prevention: Prevention efforts should focus on promoting body positivity, challenging societal beauty standards, and fostering healthy relationships with food and exercise. Early education on the warning signs and risks associated with eating disorders can also play a crucial role in prevention.
Support and Awareness: It's essential to foster a supportive and non-judgmental environment for individuals experiencing eating disorders. Raising awareness about these disorders can help reduce stigma, improve access to treatment, and provide greater understanding and empathy.
Remember, if you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, seeking help from a qualified healthcare professional is crucial. Recovery is possible, and everyone deserves support on their journey towards a healthier and happier life.
Quick tips to start feeling better:
Remove all triggering content from your social media and try to replace this with body positive or neutral content.
Talk to a trusted person about the struggles and thoughts you have been having about food and your body.
Stop tracking food on apps that count calories.
Make the first steps for seeking professional support.
Listen to a podcast or read a book with some who has lived experience recovery from an Eating Disorder.
If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, there are numerous resources available (see below). The first step is usually to consult with a healthcare professional/General Practitioner who can screen for physical health concerns and refer to a psychologist. Recovery from eating disorder requires a teamed multidisciplinary support network which looks are treating your mental health, physical health and diet.
Don't hesitate to reach out; you're not alone in this journey.
It's essential to remember that eating disorders are not a choice or a sign of weakness. Eating Disorders are a serious mental health conditions that require compassion, understanding, and support from friends, family, and society.
Additional resources:
Butterfly Foundation - 1800 EDHOPE
Queensland Health - 1300 MHCALL
Lifeline - 13 11 44
