Eating Disorders

The two most common eating disorders are anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.

Anorexia nervosa

The main symptom of anorexia nervosa is a dramatic weight loss caused by the individual reducing their food intake so much that they’re practically starving. Other indicators include: use of laxatives, over exercising, poor sleep patterns, mood swings, secrecy, and isolation from friends/family.

Bulimia nervosa

Bulimia is usually characterised by a pattern of binge eating and then either vomiting or over use of laxatives to get rid of any food eaten. In addition to weight loss, bulimia also causes tooth decay (caused by vomiting), bad skin, tiredness, secrecy, isolation from friends/family.

What causes eating disorders?

Eating disorders are usually associated with poor body image – seeing yourself as fat, obsessing over the amount of food you eat and being terrified of putting on weight. The ‘root’ of the disorder may however be emotional – a reaction to insecurity, stress, problems at home or personal life, depression etc. Sometimes when attempting to cope with such problems, people can feel like they’ve got no control over their life and that eating and food is the only thing that they can control.

Compulsive eating (another eating disorder) is also linked to emotional problems with food often associated with comfort – ‘comfort eating’.

Where can I go for help?

Without treatment, eating disorders may lead to further physical and emotional problems – for example, affecting your internal organs, inability to have children etc.

Many people with eating disorders often become secretive, hiding their problems from friends and family – in some cases, even recognising that they have a problem can be difficult. If you or anyone you know has an eating disorder it’s important to get help as soon as you can. Treatment programmes often involve a combination of a change in eating patterns (under the supervision of your doctor or local hospital) and counselling – someone who you can talk to you, who’ll listen to you and help you work through any problems you might have.

For more information – check out the Eating Disorders website