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Eating Disorders

Eating disorders often revolve around an obsession with food and weight. However, there are underlying psychological reasons for these obsessions that stem from self concept and control issues. There are different types of disorders that will be discussed in this article. It is important to note that all of the disorders are a serious condition that can result in illness or even death if symptoms are not addressed and treated as early as possible.

While many think of these disorders as a teen problem, adults can also battle with this condition. Although women outnumber men in this condition, there are some types of disorders that claim nearly as many men as women.

Doctors are not sure exactly what the causes might be. Some theories include:

• A genetic predisposition - seen to run in families
• The amount of serotonin in the brain – some experts have found a link between this brain chemical and regulation of food intake
• Psychological issues – these might include poor self esteem, perfectionism and conflict within interpersonal relationships
• Obsession about one's appearance – this is particularly true in Western cultures where thinness is highly touted and desired, especially in women

The key to effective treatment of this type of obsessive disorder is to recognize the symptoms early before the condition has had serious effects on the emotional and physical well being of the patient. When recognizing the various symptoms of this condition, it is important to identify the various types. Eating disorders generally fall into three categories:

Anorexia Nervosa.
This type of disorder is characterized by self-denial of food to the point of starvation and excessive thinness. Symptoms might include:

• Excessive weight loss and exercise
• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Frequently feeling cold
• Dehydration
• Refusal to eat
• Inability to concentrate
• Changes in mood

Anorexics often become withdrawn from those around them and preoccupied with food.

Bulimia Nervosa.
This eating disorder differs from anorexia because the patient will not stop eating completely. Instead, the patient alternates through episodes of binging and purging as the number of calories going in and out becomes the center of the obsession. The patient will eat a meal and then purge by inducing vomiting or participating in excessive exercise sessions. Many bulimics are normal weight or slightly overweight. Symptoms might include:

• Constant dieting
• Self-induced vomiting
• Use of laxatives
• Bowel dysfunction
• Dehydration
• Bloating
• Dry skin
• Sores in the throat and mouth

Binge Eating.
Binge eating is seen in men as often as women, and is characterized by episodes of eating excessive amounts of food, followed by periods of dieting or eating normally. Symptoms of this disorder include:

• Often eating alone
• Hiding empty food containers
• Feeling upset over the amount of food eaten

There are not many physical symptoms to indicate this type of eating disorder. Patients in the advanced stages of an eating disorder may require hospitalization and medical treatment for physical symptoms before treatment of the psychological condition can begin. These conditions can be life threatening if left unchecked, so symptoms require an appointment with a doctor as soon as possible for diagnosis and a treatment

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