Eating Disorders
What is an Eating Disorder?
An eating disorder occurs when the focus of a person’s everyday life revolves obsessively around food and weight Some people try to starve themselves Others compulsively overeat, and still others combine bingeing and purging.
Eating disorders often develop as a way to deal with the conflicts and struggles of life and may be used as a way to express control when life itself seems out of control.
Unfortunately, most people with an eating disorder deny it, but an eating disorder recognized can be treated While people with an eating disorder may exhibit some and not all of the symptoms listed here, the symptoms may help focus attention on the problem.
If you are struggling with an eating disorder or concerned about someone who is and would like to talk to someone, please contact us at the Counseling Center.
What is Anorexia?
What is Bulimia?
What is Compulsive Overeating?
Additional Handouts
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What is Anorexia?
Anorexia (clinically known as Anorexia Nervosa) is a self-imposed starvation It is a serious, life-threatening disorder that most often stems from underlying emotional causes Although people with anorexia are obsessed with food, they continually deny their hunger Anorexia can cause severe medical problems and even lead to death.
What are the Warning Signs of Anorexia?
- Thinness – loss of 15% of more of the ideal body weight
- Continued dieting when a person is not overweight
- Distorted body image – “feeling fat” even when a person is thin
- Preoccupation with food, calories, nutrition and/or cooking
- Denial of hunger
- Excessive exercising
- Frequently weighing oneself
- Complaints about feeling bloated or nauseated when normal amounts of food are eaten
- Hair loss
- Intolerance to cold temperature
- Loss of menstruation
What is Bulimia?
Bulimia (clinically known as Bulimia Nervosa) is the repeated cycle of out-of-control eating followed by some form of purging The purging may be self-induced, like vomiting, excessive use of laxatives and diuretics, over-exercise, or severe restriction of further food intake People with bulimia focus on their bodies because they often feel unable to cope with the conflicts and pressures of life Bulimia can cause severe medical problems including tearing of the esophagus, chemical imbalance and even death.
What are the Warning Signs of Bulimia?
- Binge eating
- Menstrual irregularities
- Swollen glands
- Frequent fluctuations in weight
- Inability to voluntarily stop eating
- Excessive concerns about weight
- Strict dieting followed by binges
- Feeling guilty or ashamed about eating
- Feeling out of control
- Frequent use of the bathroom after meals
- Depressive moods
- Overeating in reaction to emotional stress
What is Compulsive Overeating?
Compulsive overeating is the repeated cycle of out-of-control eating not accompanied by purging Most often it is characterized by binge eating, night eating and alternating periods of overeating and restrictive dieting.
People who compulsively overeat focus on food because they often feel unable to cope with the conflict, pressures and stresses of life Additionally, the issues facing compulsive overeaters are often complicated by poor body image and the negative implications surrounding obesity.
The medical consequences associated with obesity resulting from compulsive overeating include a lowered metabolic rate as a result of dieting, higher blood pressure, and the increased likelihood of adult-onset diabetes.
What are the Signs of Compulsive Overeating?
- Alternating periods of overeating and restricting
- Binge eating
- Night eating
- Frequent fluctuations in weight
- Inability to voluntarily stop eating
- Excessive concern about weight
- Feeling guilty or ashamed about eating
- Feeling out of control
- Depression and feelings of low self esteem
- Overeating in reaction to emotional stress
- Maintenance of a higher than average weight
Source: The Renfrew Center of Florida, 7700 Renfrew Lane, Coconut Creek, FL 33073 ~ (954) 698-9222 ~ www.renfrew.org
Additional handouts:
Guidelines for Family Members Who Want to Help a Family Member
How to Help a Friend with an Eating Disorder
Medical Consequences
Risk Factors