Common Eating Disorders

When food becomes a problem

By Lili Melton

Eating disorders are dangerous, potentially life-threatening illnesses. Eating disorders include anorexia, bulimia, chronic or obsessive overeating. Early recognition of signs of eating disorders is crucial to helping teens.

Defining Bulimia and Recognizing Signs

The US National Library of Medicine defines bulimia as eating disorder characterized by a person eating lots of food at one time and purging vomiting or taking laxatives to speed movement of food. Women's Health explains that a person with bulimia may exercise often, eat very little or not at all, or take pills preventing weight gain.

Women's Health affirms that people with bulimia may be thin, of normal weight, or overweight, making it hard to detect eating disorders. However, bulimics will take excessive measures to lose weight.

Detecting the following warning signs will assist:

·A distorted body image or dislike of self

·Excessive exercise

·Vomiting after meals

·Taking diet pills or laxatives to have a bowel movement and urinate

·Physical signs: broken blood vessels in the eyes, swollen cheeks or jaw area, teeth that look clear, calluses or scrapes on the knuckles

Defining Anorexia and Recognizing Signs Anorexia is defined as intense fear of gaining weight. People with anorexia frequently think about food; even though they are very thin, will limit the amount of food consumed. Women's Health declares anorexia is more than a problem with food; anorexia is a method of controlling ones life to ease angst and tension. Anorexics have very low body weight; have intense fear of gaining weight; and a misconstrued belief that they are fat.

Watching for following warning signs will help in early detection:

·Eating very little

·Exercising frequently

·Throwing up after meals

·Taking diet pills and/or laxatives

·Pushing the food around the plate and not eating

·Counting calories, weighing food, and eating small portion sizes

·Females already menstruating miss three consecutive menstrual periods

Defining Binge Eating and Recognizing the Signs

Binge eating is characteristic of eating a large portion of food while feeling out of control. People, who binge, eat quickly, until they are extremely uncomfortable, when they are not hungry, and while alone usually feeling depressed, guilty, or repulsion.

Watching for following signs is suggested:

·Depression is a common sign

·Dieting frequently, skipping or avoiding meals

·During times of angst binging occurs

·Impulsivity and not feeling in charge of self

Next Steps

If an eating disorder is detected, National Eating Disorders Association encourages:

·Be available to talk, listen, and offer advice

·Avoid conflicts not pushing to admit there's a problem

·Never give simple solution such as, "Things will be fine if you would just stop"

·Encourage professional assistance

People suffering from eating disorders can get better. With early detection, proper medical care, family support, a person with an eating disorder can lead a normal life. For more information visit hhs.gov, nimh.gov, and nationaleatingdisorders.org each site offers current medical advice and appropriate resources.

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