Eating Disorders: Types, Causes And Treatments

What are eating disorders? Did you know that severe cases of eating disorders can even lead to death? The burning desire to look ‘perfect’ has led to the occurrence of eating disorders all over the word. Eating disorders are conditions that arise due to eating habits that are not normal. A person who has an eating disorder may either eat a lot or hardly eat anything at all. Symptoms range from forced vomiting, self-punishment like control over food eaten to excessive exercising. The disorder may occur due to a variety of reasons varying from an individual’s personality, psyche, self esteem and genes. Anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder are examples of the most common disorders. They can ‘come upon’ any one and at any time, no matter the age, gender, occupation, etc. Fortunately however, there is a way out of the clutches of these eating disorders. Be prudent; read on to unearth more on the types, causes and treatments for the most common eating disorders.

 

 

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is an eating disorder distinguished by starvation. An anorexic individual may just refuse to eat to maintain a certain body weight and look. In the eyes of the world, an anorexic may look extremely thin and malnourished, but the anorexic may not realize this. A perpetual fear of gaining weight and a vague body image can be associated with the occurrence of anorexia. The disorder is mostly only psychological and can affect more women than men. Treatment is a must in severe cases. The disorder can be treated by targeting the roots of the same. It’s caused by a psychological problem that has to be set right. Then, the need for essential food groups should be explained to the patient. A balanced diet and frequent exercising can get an individual to a thin and fit look, not excessive dietary restrictions. When undergoing treatment, the weight of an anorexic is brought back to normal. These corrective measures are critical to the battle against anorexia.

 

Binge eating and self-induced vomiting is what distinguishes bulimia from anorexia. Over exercising and the use of diuretics, laxatives and enemas indicate that a person is ‘down’ with bulimia. Bulimia in Latin means ‘ravenous hunger’. This is how bulimia casts its trap - The afflicted individual is plagued with an insatiable appetite for food. This appetite is followed by an instance of forced vomiting due to the guilt of over eating or the desire to stay thin. It’s a binge and purge cycle. The best way to deal with this disorder is to nip the ‘binge and purge’ cycle in the bud. It may not be easy, but it’s possible. Eating habits should be monitored and purging habits should be eliminated. Psychological treatment too should be dished out to the individual. Sometimes the disorder can occur at an emotional level. It can occur due to anxiety, depression or even low self-esteem. Get rid of the emotional causes for the disease and you’ll have an individual free of bulimia.

 

The name of this disorder is self explanatory, isn’t it? It’s when an individual eats more than he or she should. Over eating is something that we’re all guilty of, but when the over indulgence becomes a habit, you have a problem. Binge eating is a condition characterized by compulsive overeating where people find it hard to control their appetites when at the table. However, the cause of the disorder is not certain, but at the same it time it can be traced to emotions. Emotions that cause the disorder can vary from depression to happiness. Everything said and done, the disorder still is a disorder and needs to be corrected. Expert opinion is a must. The advice and help of health professionals and psychiatrists should be sought out. Eating habits should be monitored and desires for food should be curbed. Researchers are still trying to discover ways to deal with and treat this disorder. It may not sound easy or achievable, but at the end of the day, it really boils down to exercising control and will power when eating. A certain degree of control at every meal and in between meals will help an individual overcome the binge eating disorder.