Chris Marshall asked:


The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) is the biggest non-profit organization in the United States and works to prevent eating disorders as also to provide referrals to patients suffering from anorexia, bulimia as well as binge eating disorders and, also people who are taken up with body image and issues pertaining to weight.

The goal of the National Eating Disorders Association is to eliminate eating disorders and to achieve this, the National Eating Disorders Association has dedicated itself to expanding the public understanding of eating disorders as well as taking preventive measures and promoting access to quality treatment for those who have been afflicted with eating disorders as well as providing support to families through education, advocacy as well as research.

The National Eating Disorders Association tries to serve the needs of the national community through programs that it provides, as well as products and services that are of superior quality in supporting the elimination of eating disorders. To make the mission become more fruitful and productive it has developed prevention programs for a great many different audiences, and has published and distributed educational materials in addition to operating the country’s first toll-free helpline for eating disorders information as well as referral.

The National Eating Disorders Association consists of numerous professionals who form the Board of Directors as well as the Founders and staff, who together channels their collective efforts to eliminate eating disorders. The National Eating Disorders Sssociation is able to provide all the information and help necessary for those having eating disorders including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorders as well as other eating related disorders.

Usually, it is very difficult for people with eating disorders to get prompt help and be able to get on with their lives normally; so it becomes important for them to be able to reach dedicated professionals who would provide relief and for this the National Eating Disorders Association is a good source for obtaining help as well as related information.

The National Eating Disorders Association will help the person with diagnosing the symptoms of eating disorders and will find out what has caused the person to overeat excessively, and in addition, will be able to pinpoint what is going on with the patient. Once the diagnosis has been made, the treatment of the eating disorder may begin and this may also involve psychotherapy.

In order to prevent and/or screen the patient’s eating disorders the National Eating Disorders Association may prescribe ten things that the parents of the patient may have to do to prevent eating disorders.



Ronnie

Peter sams asked:


Eating disorders are one of the unspoken secrets that permeate many families. Millions of Americans are afflicted with this disorder every year, and most of them — up to 90 percent — are adolescent and young women. Rarely talked about, an eating disorder can affect up to 5 percent of the population of teenage girls.

Why are adolescent and young women so susceptible to getting an eating disorder? According to the National Institute of Mental Health, it is because during this period of time, women are more likely to diet to try and keep a slim figure and/or try stringent dieting. Certain sports (such as gymnastics) and careers (such as modeling) are especially prone to reinforcing the need to keep a fit figure, even if it means purging food or not eating at all.

These eating disorders carry serious health risks and can sometimes result in death. Medical and Dental complications can occur as a result of starvation, vomiting and abuse of exercise. A small but significant number of eating disorder patients die from their disorder, convinced that it is better to starve to death than to be fat. It is vital that eating disordered people receive treatment for their disorders. Appropriate treatment includes medical attention and psychotherapy, both from professionals specializing in eating disorders treatment.

Preventing Eating Disorders

Cognitive-behavioral strategies may help prevent the development of eating disorders in adolescent women, particularly those who are overweight. A 2006 study in the Archives of General Psychiatry reported success with an Internet-based cognitive-behavioral program that targeted at-risk college-age women. The women were taught how to become more comfortable with their body weight and image. The program also provided education on healthy eating and weight management.

Eating Disorder Types

In Anorexia Nervosa, the sufferer shows a desperate fear of weight gain and a desire to be abnormally thin, and severely restricts her diet in an attempt to achieve this. Some sufferers also use excessive exercise and sometimes self-induced vomiting as a means of weight control. This behaviour leads to a wide variety of harmful physical and psychological consequences and can be life-threatening; in fact anorexia nervosa has the highest mortality rate of any psychological illness.

Bulimia is characterized by eating excessive amounts of food in short periods of time,

Usually in secret, and is followed by some form of purging behavior. Most individuals suffering with bulimia realize that their behavior is abnormal and try to keep it a secret. Individuals are either slightly over, or at average body weight.

While bulimia is not as physically harmful as anorexia, the psychological effects can be devastating, leading to depression and even more serious outcomes including ******* in the worst of cases. The physical signs of bulimia which can be observed tend to be related to the purging methods used, and include regularly bloodshot eyes, swollen glands, and dental erosion. In the long term, the dangers include digestive system problems such as ulcers, weakness and exhaustion, and even heart problems.

Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is a type of eating disorder not otherwise specified and is

characterized by recurrent binge eating without the regular use of compensatory measures to counter the binge eating.

Binge Eating Disorder is characterized by:

1. Frequent episodes of eating large quantities of food in short periods of time.

2. Feeling out of control over eating behavior.



Regina

Rachel Broune asked:


Eating disorders afflict millions of people, thousands of which will die from them yearly. There is good news though, eating disorders can be beaten. This causes dramatic weight fluctuation, interferes with normal daily life, and damages vital body functions. An eating disorder is a compulsion to eat, or avoid eating, that negatively affects one’s physical and mental health. They affect an estimated 5-7% of females in the United States during their lifetimes. Eating disorders are very complex, and despite scientific research to understand them, the biological, behavioral and social underpinnings of these illnesses remain elusive. Eating disorders are serious behavior problems.

An eating disorders are women between the ages of 12 and 25. An eating disorders involve self-critical, negative thoughts and feelings about body weight and food, and eating habits that disrupts normal body function, and daily life activities. It’s common for kids – particularly teens – to be concerned about how they look and to feel self-conscious about their weight. Although eating disorders primarily affect women and girls, boys and men are also vulnerable. One in four preadolescent cases of anorexia occurs in boys, and binge-eating disorder affects females and males about equally. They include Anorexia nervosa, Bulimia nervosa and Binge-eating. Eating disorders can cause heart and kidney problems and even death.

Causes of Eating Disorders

Environmental

Psychological

Biological

Academic pressures

Genetic factors

Trauma

Symptoms of Eating Disorders

significant weight loss

regularly buys laxatives

preference to eat in isolation

depression

becomes very thin

physical health complications

swollen glands in the neck and below the jaw

Diagnosis for Eating Disorders

Trying to help a child who doesn’t think he or she needs help can be hard. Remember that it’s not your job to diagnose your child – only a doctor can do that.

Treatment for Eating Disorders

Treatment can include medical supervision, nutritional counseling, and therapy. The professionals try to address a child’s perception about his or her body size, shape, eating, and foods. There are a variety of treatment options available: individual therapy, group therapy, nutritional support, psychiatric care, outpatient, inpatient, residential and we can help you locate these resources. Fluoxetine and other antidepressants may reduce binge-eating episodes and help alleviate depression in some patients. Low mood may be difficult to spot in an uncommunicative teenager, and lack of interest in physical activity is not something most parents worry about in their teenage daughters.

Prevention for Eating Disorders

Parents and other family members are important in helping a person see that his or her normal body shape is perfectly fine and that being excessively thin can be dangerous.

To make sure that your child knows that you love him or her for who she is and what she does, not how she looks.

By reducing or eliminating behaviors or thoughts that lead to disordered eating, and preventing relapse.

Maintaining a regular diary of eating, thoughts and feelings can be helpful.



Kristin

Cindy Heller asked:


Personnel suffering from eating disorders have more than a few options in seeking treatment, once they identify and admit they have a disease. According to the Center for Eating Disorders and Psychotherapy in Worthington, the best selection is family and friends.

The Center for Eating Disorders and Psychotherapy in Worthington, Ohio

Even as many females suffer at from anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating in any case one during their lifetime, what manifests the intermittent bouts with one of these disorders into a full-blown disease is still the subject of much debate at the Center for Eating Disorders.

Many hospitals to operate a Center for Eating Disorders where people can take part in treatment ranging beginning meetings with professionals to inpatient treatment. Depending on the intensity of the disease and the readiness of the patient to participate, determines which treatment option is utilized.

The Center for Eating Disorders located at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Towson, Maryland, offers quite a few options, including inpatient services, daily outpatient treatment and group therapy, all conducted at their Center for Eating Disorders. Community outreach programs in addition to a combination of inpatient/outpatient programs are also obtainable.

National Eating Disorder Association: One of The Largest US Non-Profit Organization

The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) is the considered to be the biggest non-profit organization in the United States and works to put a stop to eating disorders as also to provide referrals to patients suffering from anorexia, bulimia as well as binge eating disorders and, as well people who are taken up with body image and issues pertaining to weight.

The ultimate goal of the National Eating Disorders Association is to eliminate eating disorders and to achieve this, the National Eating Disorders Association has committed itself to expanding the public understanding of eating disorders as well as enchanting preventive measures and promoting way in to quality treatment for those who have been afflicted with eating disorders as well as giving support to families through education, advocacy and in research.

The National Eating Disorders Association tries to provide the needs of the national community in the course of programs that it provides, as well as products and services that are of superior quality in sustaining the elimination of eating disorders. In order to make the mission become more fruitful and productive it has developed prevention programs for a large many different audiences, and has published and circulated educational materials in addition to operating the country’s first toll-free helpline for eating disorders information as well as referral.

Help Must be Sought After in Order for it to Work

One of the toughest parts of having someone seek out help at a Center for Eating Disorders is their capability to recognize that they are suffering from a serious illness. Anorexia nervosa sufferers generally don’t see anything wrong with how they look. Their fear of gaining weight is more often than not unfounded, that may not be the image they see when they look into a mirror.

Group therapy at the Center for Eating Disorders may not be meant for everyone, in particular those suffering bulimia nervosa. Because they usually purge by vomiting or the abuse of laxatives or diuretics, they don’t demonstrate the physical signs of overeating. Those suffering from binge eating are by and large too embarrassed by their weight to discuss the problem in front of others.

There are many times when an intervention with family and friends may be essential before a person with anorexia or bulimia be converted into willing to accept that a problem exists and seek treatment. Nevertheless, an intervention should not be staged without the benefit of advice from a professional at a Center for Eating Disorders.

Most have the same opinion that eating disorders are the outcome of a psychological disorder and as such interference devoid of the proper conditions, preparation and knowledge could backfire and make the situation even worse. When dealing with someone with an eating disorder it will constantly be best to coordinate your efforts with a Center for Eating Disorders professional.

How and Where can I Contact an Eating Disorder Association?

One of the best way to find eating disorder association that is near to you is by using the Internet, since the speed and efficiency of the Internet will allow you to be able to quickly and easily find accurately what you are looking for, and thus will narrow down your search dramatically.

Keep in mind not to get frustrated in your search, and remember that seeking help is significant and that you should not feel ashamed or disappointed in yourself for doing so. You should understand that there are many people out there who are suffering just as you are, and so you should by no means feel alone. Recovery is a serious and decisive step in you getting better.



Joann

David Karlson asked:


 

If you overeat on a regular basis in order to cope with stress or negative feelings then it is quite possible that you suffer from a binge eating disorder. In addition, the over eater feels even worse after they have finished their binge. An important point to note is that this condition is treatable. Therefore, please consult a physician as soon as possible if you suffer from this condition.

A binge eating disorder is seen as compulsive overeating where the person eats a large amount of food without being able to stop eating or control their eating. These episodes can last for a couple of hours at a time. In some cases, the individual will eat off and on all day long. They will eat when they are not hungry and will not stop eating even when they are completely full. Another symptom is that they could eat so fast that they do not even register what they have just eaten.

As you can see, a binge eating disorder can be extremely harmful. It leaves the person with feelings of guilt and feeling depressed. These negative feelings just add to the problem of over-eating. This eating disorder affects both men and women. Whereas, other eating disorders such as bulimia and anorexia affect mainly women. For most people, the only way out of it is professional help. The first step to get out of this downward spiral is to tell someone that you have a problem.

Another tip to help overcome a binge eating disorder is not being so hard on yourself. Do not beat yourself up. Learn from your mistakes and move on. In addition, do not keep so much food at home. Try to figure out what causes you to overeat. What are the triggers that cause the overeating? Of course the most important step is to seek professional help, you cannot do it all on your own.

Binge eating disorder is the most common eating disorder in the United States. However, it does not receive as much attention as the purging disorders like anorexia nervosa and bulimia. These conditions are likened to substance abuse. They all involve obsessive thoughts and an overwhelming compulsion to over consume. The individual feeling overwhelmed by different feelings such as guilt and shame usually follows this.

Only recently have researchers and scientists discovered a number of brain messengers that are involved in the hunger, eating and satiation. This will allow doctors to develop better methods for treating people with a binge eating disorder. When a person with this form of addiction seeks help, the goal is for them to be able to eat when they are hungry, and not when there is something in their life that is causing stress. Treatment will also teach the individual when to stop eating when they are full. Changes in eating habits will not happen overnight. It is important to stay positive and trust your doctor or therapist. If you do not have the trust in the person treating you then it is highly advisable to change therapists. Trust is important in treating any form of eating disorder.

In conclusion, a binge eating disorder is treatable. However, anyone suffering from any kind of eating disorder should consult with a therapist or a physician to help solve the eating problem.



Rita

Peter sams asked:


Generally, eating disorders involve self-critical, negative thoughts and feelings about body weight and food, and eating habits that disrupts normal body function, and daily life activities. A person with anorexia nervosa typically starves him or herself to be thin and experiences excessive weight loss, typically 15% below the weight that doctors consider ideal for his or her height and age. In some cases of anorexia, in addition to restricting their food intake kids use purging – by vomiting or taking laxatives – to control their weight.

Causes of Eating Disorders

What causes eating disorders is not entirely clear, though a combination of psychological, genetic, social and family factors are thought to contribute to the disorder.

Certain sports, such as ballet, gymnastics and wrestling are thought to potentially contribute to developing eating disorders because of the emphasis on leanness. There is also a role for genetics. Individuals who have a close relative with an eating disorder have an increased risk for also developing an eating disorder.. Sometimes, problems at home, such as drug or alcohol abuse, can put a child at higher risk to develop disordered eating behaviors.

And this concern can begin at an alarmingly young age. Research shows that 42% of first to third-grade girls wants to be thinner, and 81% of 10-year-olds are afraid of being fat.

Types of eating disorders

The most common eating disorders are anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder.

• Anorexia – People with anorexia starve themselves out of an intense fear of becoming fat. Despite being underweight or even emaciated, they never believe they’re thin enough. In addition to restricting calories, people with anorexia may also control their weight with exercise, diet pills, or purging.

• Bulimia – Bulimia involves a destructive cycle of bingeing and purging. Following an episode of out-of-control binge eating, people with bulimia take drastic steps to purge themselves of the extra calories. In order to avoid weight gain they vomit, exercise, fast, or take laxatives.

• Binges Eating Disorder – People with binge eating disorder compulsively overeat, rapidly consuming thousands of calories in a short period of time. Despite feelings of guilt and shame over these secret binges, they feel unable to control their behavior or stop eating even when uncomfortably full.

Alternative Treatment for Eating Disorders

There are many treatment options for eating disorders. The right approach for each individual depends on his or her specific symptoms, issues, and strengths, as well as the severity of the disorder. To be most effective, treatment for an eating disorder must address both the physical and psychological aspects of the problem. The goal is to treat any medical or nutritional needs, promote a healthy relationship with food, and teach constructive ways to cope with life and its challenges Psychotherapy – Individual and group therapy can help your loved one explore the issues underlying the eating disorder, improve self-esteem, and learn healthy ways of responding to stress and emotional pain. Family therapy is also effective for dealing with the impact the eating disorder has on the entire family unit.

• Nutritional counseling – Dieticians or nutritionists are often involved in the treatment of eating disorders. They can help your loved one design meal plans, set dietary goals, and achieve a healthy weight. Nutritional counseling may also involve education about basic nutrition and the health consequences of eating disorders.

• Support groups – Attending an eating disorder support group can help your loved one feel less alone and ashamed. Run by peers rather than professionals, support groups provide a safe environment to share experiences, advice, encouragement, and coping strategies.

• Residential treatment –- Residential or hospital-based care may be required when there are severe physical or behavioral problems, such as a resistance to treatment, medical issues that require a doctor’s supervision, or continuing weight loss.



Judy

James Hunaban asked:


There are three main types of eating disorder; these are Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa and Binge Eating Disorder. The term eating disorder is used to describe any eating patterns that are obsessive and long lasting. In the last 20 to 30 years or so there has been a marked increase in the amount of people troubled by these disorders. Let’s have a brief look at the three variants.

Anorexia nervosa

Anorexia is an eating disorder where individuals starve themselves of food, because they have an obsessive longing to be thin. This disorder tends to affect mainly teenage girls, but can also affect men, and it is serious and sometimes even fatal. About half of the people with anorexia who have hospital treatment still struggle with the disorder and have symptoms for a long time afterwards. One trait of sufferers seems to be a lack of self-esteem.

Bulimia nervosa,

Bulimia nervosa, usually shortened to bulimia, is an eating disorder where individuals have a binge-eating session; this is usually then followed by them making themselves sick. This self-induced vomiting is because of feelings of guilt at having eaten so much. People with bulimia tend to suffer from an unnatural preoccupation with their own body, and as with anorexic patients they have a fear of gaining weight. Individuals who suffer with bulimia will devour huge quantities of food in an attempt to reduce stress, and help them deal with feelings of anxiety.

Binge eating disorder

Binge eating disorder involves bouts of overeating high calorie foods on a regular basis, but unlike bulimia sufferers, they don’t make themselves vomit. People with this disorder not surprisingly, are usually overweight. This disorder was first recognized about 45 years ago; but it is only in recent times that it has been seen as a widespread problem. Studies have shown that binge eating disorder seems to run in families, so it looks like there is a genetic link.

The rather worrying news is that the big three eating disorders – anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder, are reported to be on the rise all around the world.



Denise

Juliet Cohen asked:


Eating disorders are serious behavior problems. Eating disorders can cause heart and kidney problems and even death. Eating disorders are not a sign that a person has a problem with food, rather eating disorders are actually only the symptoms of underlying problems in that person’s life. Eating disorders involve serious disturbances in eating behavior, such as extreme and unhealthy reduction of food intake or severe overeating, as well as feelings of distress or extreme concern about body shape or weight. Researchers are investigating how and why initially voluntary behaviors, such as eating smaller or larger amounts of food than usual, at some point move beyond control in some people and develop into an eating disorder. Dieting to a body weight leaner than needed for health is highly promoted by current fashion trends, sales campaigns for special foods, and in some activities and professions. Eating disorders frequently co-occur with other psychiatric disorders such as depression, substance abuse, and anxiety disorders. These are also the three most common eating disorders. All three have severe consequences to a person’s immediate and long-term health and can cause death.

Eating disorders are characterized by an abnormal obsession with food and weight. Eating disorders are much more noticed in women than in men. Environmental factors have a large influence on developing eating disorders but more research is being performed on hormonal imbalances, brain lesions and their effects on eating disorders. Many types of eating disorder such as , anorexia nervosa , starvation diet ,binge eating disorder , bulimia nervosa , diabulimia and night eating syndrome. Girls and women are 10 times more likely than boys and men to suffer from anorexia or bulimia. However, eating disorders do seem to be getting more common in boys and men. Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are more commonly known as anorexia and bulimia. The two disorders can be difficult to distinguish from each other because they have similar characteristics. Anorexics consider themselves to be fat, no matter what their actual weight is. Often anorexics do not recognize they are underweight and may still “feel fat” at 80 lbs. Anorexics close to death will show you on their bodies where they feel they need to lose weight.

Most people with eating disorders will try to avoid conflicts at all costs, so they usually don’t express negative feelings and try to wear a happy face all the time to try and please people. Treatment can include medical supervision, nutritional counseling, and therapy. Treatment of anorexia calls for a specific program that involves three main phases: (1) restoring weight lost to severe dieting and purging; (2) treating psychological disturbances such as distortion of body image, low self-esteem, and interpersonal conflicts; and (3) achieving long-term remission and rehabilitation, or full recovery. These medications also may help prevent relapse. The treatment goals and strategies for binge-eating disorder are similar to those for bulimia, and studies are currently evaluating the effectiveness of various interventions. Many parents worry about how to get their kids a healthy diet, and prevent them from becoming obese or overweight without giving them anxiety about food that might lead to an eating disorder. Take an active role in creating a healthy lifestyle for your child. Involve your child in the preparation of healthy, nutritious meals on a regular basis.

Eating Disorders Treatment Tips

1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – emphasizes the relationship between thoughts and feelings by focusing on a person’s thought processes.

2. Interpersonal therapy – focuses on addressing difficult relationships with others

3. Rational Emotive Therapy – focuses on a person’s unhelpful beliefs

4. Psychoanalytic psychotherapy – focuses on a person’s past experiences.

5. Family therapy usually involves those who live with the person with the eating disorder, such as parents, siblings, and partner or spouse.

6. Group therapy provides a supportive network of people who have similar eating disorders.

7. Support groups are led by trained volunteers or health professionals.



Alex

Juliet Cohen asked:


Eating disorders are often described as an outward expression of internal emotional pain and confusion. Eating disorders afflict millions of people, thousands of which will die from them yearly. There is good news though, eating disorders can be beaten. An eating disorder involves a distorted pattern of thinking about food and size/weight: there is a preoccupation and obsession with food, as well as an issue of control or lack of control around food and its consumption. Eating is controlled by many factors, including appetite, food availability, family, peer, and cultural practices, and attempts at voluntary control. Dieting to a body weight leaner than needed for health is highly promoted by current fashion trends, sales campaigns for special foods, and in some activities and professions. Eating disorders involve serious disturbances in eating behavior, such as extreme and unhealthy reduction of food intake or severe overeating, as well as feelings of distress or extreme concern about body shape or weight.

These are also the three most common eating disorders. Eating disorders can cause heart and kidney problems and even death.Eating disorders frequently co-occur with other psychiatric disorders such as depression, substance abuse, and anxiety disorders. The main types of eating disorders are anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. A third type, binge-eating disorder. Eating disorders are not due to a failure of will or behavior; rather, they are real, treatable medical illnesses in which certain maladaptive patterns of eating take on a life of their own. Eating disorders frequently develop during adolescence or early adulthood, but some reports indicate their onset can occur during childhood or later in adulthood. In addition, people who suffer from eating disorders can experience a wide range of physical health complications, including serious heart conditions and kidney failure which may lead to death.

Eating Disorders are about being convinced that your whole self-esteem is hinged on. Eating Disorders are about attempting to control your life and emotions through food/lack of food. A person with anorexia nervosa typically starves himself or herself to be thin and experiences excessive weight loss, typically 15% below the weight that doctors consider ideal for his or her height and age. A child with anorexia or bulimia may experience dehydration as well as other medical complications. Anorexia may affect a child’s growth, bone mass, cause puberty delays, an irregular heartbeat and blood pressure problems, and gastrointestinal problems. Treatment of anorexia calls for a specific program that involves three main phases: (1) restoring weight lost to severe dieting and purging; (2) treating psychological disturbances such as distortion of body image, low self-esteem, and interpersonal conflicts; and (3) achieving long-term remission and rehabilitation, or full recovery.

Eating Disorders Treatment Tips

1. Treatment can include medical supervision, nutritional counseling, and therapy.

2. Supportive group therapy may follow, and self-help groups within communities may provide ongoing support.

3. Behavioral therapy has proven effective in achieving this goal.

4. Psychotherapy has proven effective in helping to prevent the eating disorder from recurring and in addressing issues that led to the disorder.

5. Family members or other trusted individuals can be helpful in ensuring.

6. Certain selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have been shown to be helpful for weight maintenance.



Rosa

Brooke Hayles asked:


Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa are two of the most common forms of eating disorders. Statistic gathered by the Academy of Eating Disorders state that more than ten percent of women have symptoms, varying in degrees, of eating disorders.

Anorexia Nervosa is an eating disorder that is defined as having an intense fear of gaining weight. The person who suffers from this disease will do anything it takes not to gain an ounce. If they gain even as much as half a pound, it can send them into a panic and they will stop eating altogether. In extreme cases, the person affected becomes emaciated to the point where hospitalization is required.

Although Anorexia Nervosa is generally found in women, the amount of men that this eating disorder affects is rapidly increasing.

There are several other severe reactions that the body can have to this eating disorder. Women will stop menstruating, and in girls, it can be delayed altogether. Puberty is can be delayed. For boys and men, their *** hormones decrease or in severe cases, disappear completely.

Anorexia Nervosa also has psychological symptoms. Irritability, withdrawal and depression can be found in all victims of this eating disorder. Another symptom of Anorexia Nervosa is that the person afflicted with will develop compulsive eating habits. All food is put into two categories; good and bad.

The person afflicted with this eating disorder are deathly afraid of eating the foods that are in the “Bad food” category.

Often, a person who develops Anorexia Nervosa because they cannot control certain aspects of their life. They feel that the food that they eat is the one thing that they can control.

Bulimia Nervosa is another form of eating disorders. This is different from Anorexia because the person afflicted will binge eat.

This is when the person diets or starves themselves for long periods of time and then eats enough to fulfill their hunger. When they are done eating, they will begin to feel guilty then an intense fear of gaining weight will overcome them and they will purge themselves. To do this, they will either make themselves vomit what they consumed or they will use laxatives to clean out there system. Some who are afflicted with this eating disorder will exercise to the point of exhaustion. Although they think they have it under control, they do not. The cycle will start all over again.

Although those with bulimia maintain a normal body weight, it can still have devastating effect. From vomiting over and over again, a victim of Bulimia can develop esophageal erosion similar to acid reflux disease, as well as the erosion of tooth enamel.

If you are a parent of someone who has either one of these eating disorders, it is critical that you seek medical attention as soon as possible. Even if you are not sure your child has these disorders, let a medical professional confirm it or put your fears to rest.

Anorexia and Bulimia are a very private part of the victim’s life. They will have the fear that treatment means weight gain and they will go to any extent for that not to happen.

These eating disorder can be deadly. It is important to recognize the symptoms, and if there are any changes in your child’s eating patterns. If they start to eliminate their favorite foods from their diet ask questions and do not stop until you have a satisfactory answer.

Through the help of a physician medical treatment can be done to correct the physical damage caused. Therapy from a mental health professional one on one and in a group setting is usually the course of treatment, which works hand in hand with a doctor.

Summary:

Anorexia and Bulimia can only be diagnosed and treated by a physician. It is important that you seek treatment as soon as you recognize the symptoms. Part of the treatment will be session, whether private or group, with a psychologist. Group session have shown great results as the people afflicted with these eating disorders share their stories and usually support each other.



Susan