Food is needed for survival. There are times when we choose to gorge on unhealthy foods and then there are times when we eat in healthier ways. Eating is a normal part of our lives, but for some it is not as simple. When someone begins to have an unhealthy relationship with food, they have developed an eating disorder. Around 70 million people worldwide suffer from an eating disorder (Lyons, 2017).
Stigma and false information about eating disorders
People do not understand that the brains of people with eating disorders are not working properly. They are told to “just eat” or “stop eating so much” because it’s not that hard. They are made fun of for being too small or sometimes too fat.
Bulimia nervosa
Description: Defined as, “Eating disorder involving recurrent episodes of uncontrolled excessive (binge) eating followed by compensatory actions to remove the food.” (Barlow, et el., 2018).
Anorexia nervosa
Description: Defined as, “Eating disorder characterized by recurrent food refusal, leading to dangerously low body weight.” (Barlow, et el., 2018).
Binge-eating disorder
Description: Defined as, “Pattern of eating involving distress-inducing binges not followed by purging behaviors.” (Barlow, et el., 2018).
Causes and Treatment of eating disorders:
Causes: a) social factors and pressures to be thin, going on diets, influenced by family, b) biological vulnerability, c) psychological vulnerability, distorted view of body, anxiety about weight (Barlow, et el., 2018).
Treatment: a) medications for bulimia and binge-eating include antidepressants such as Prozac, b) psychological treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), cognitive behavioral therapy-enhanced (CBT-E), interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT), family-centered therapy (Barlow, et el., 2018).
Obesity
Description: Not considered a disorder in the DSM, but is important to talk about. Defined as, “Excess of body fat resulting in a body mass index (BMI, a ratio of weight to height) of 30 or more.” (Barlow, et el., 2018).
Causes: a) biological vulnerability such as genetics and physiology, b) personality causes vulnerability, c) psychological factors such as food addiction, d) lifestyle factors such as being inactive, overeating, and eating unhealthy foods. (Barlow, et el., 2018).
Treatment: a) self-directed weight loss programs, b) commercial self-help programs, c) professionally directed behavioral modification programs, which is the most successful form of treatment, d) surgery for severe cases (Barlow, et el., 2018).
Resources for help
https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/help-support
https://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/recovery/self-help-tools-skills-tips
https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/support-services/online-groups
https://www.thinkpacifica.com/anxiety-peer-support-groups/
https://wisdo.com/
https://www.inspire.com/groups/mental-health-america/
Conclusion
Eating disorders can steal the joy out of people’s lives; from social events, shopping, and day to day life. If you know someone who struggles with an eating disorder, be there for them. If you’re struggling with an eating disorder, you are not alone, and help is available.
Keep shinning your light and keep breaking silence ❤
Xoxo, Kelly (@smilexokelly on all social sites)
References
Barlow, D. H., Durand, V. M., Hofmann, S. G. (2018). Abnormal Psychology: An Integrative Approach. Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.
Lyons, L. (2017). Eating Disorders on the Rise All Around the World: An Overview. Eating Disorder Hope. Retrieved from https://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/blog/eating-disorders-world-overview
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