CONDITIONS
Eating Disorders
Eating Disorders
What are the symptoms of Eating disorders?
Depending on the type of disorder, the symptoms are:
Anorexia nervosa (AN): A life-threatening eating disorder, it is the presence of an unhealthy low body weight, intense fear of gaining weight and an unrealistic perception of how the weight and shape of a person should be.
A person with anorexia may:
- – severely limit calorie intake or cut out certain kinds of foods or food groups.
- – involve extreme methods to lose weight; such as excessive exercising, using laxatives (medicine that helps pass bowels). This may cause severe health problems, even among those whose weight isn’t extremely low.
Over time, they may develop the following symptoms:
- Thinning of the bones (osteopenia or osteoporosis)
- Mild anaemia
- Brittle hair and nails
- Dry and yellowish skin
- Severe constipation
- Low blood pressure
- Slowed breathing and pulse
- Damage to the structure and function of the heart
- Brain damage
- Multiorgan failure
- Drop in internal body temperature, causing a person to feel cold all the time
- Lethargy, sluggishness, or feeling tired all the time
- Infertility
Bulimia nervosa (BN)
Sometimes life-threatening ED, bulimia nervosa (bulimia) is often a serious condition including episodes of bingeing, followed by episodes of purging. Bingeing – eating extremely large amounts of food or food in a short period of time. People are unable to control their eating during this phase and feel that they can’t stop. Post eating, owing to the guilt, shame or an intense fear of weight gain, people take measures to get rid of calories (purging). Purging involves vomiting, exercising too much, not eating for a period of time, or using laxatives. In some cases, changing medicine doses (e.g insulin amounts) is done to try to lose weight. Such people may have following symptoms:
- Almost always inflamed and sore throat (due to vomiting)
- Swollen salivary glands in the neck and jaw area
- Tooth decay and increased tooth sensitivity and worn tooth enamel
- Stomach and Intestinal distress due to acid imbalance and laxative use
- Severe dehydration from purging of fluids
- Electrolyte imbalance (imbalance of sodium, calcium, potassium, and other minerals) which may lead to stroke or heart attack
Binge-eating disorder
What are the causes of ED?
What are the risk factors of ED?
Anyone can be diagnosed with ED, but young people and teens are more prone. Following factors may increase the risk of developing ED:
- – Family history of eating disorders
- – Other mental health disorders or issues such as trauma, anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder
- – Dieting and starvation are proven factors for eating disorders. Starvation results in mood changes, rigid thinking, anxiety and reduced appetite making it difficult ot embrace healthy eating habits
- – History of weight bullying – people who are made to feel ashamed of their weight by friends, family, colleagues, etc. are more likely
- – Stress of a new change in life such as starting college, moving to a new place, etc.
Diagnosis of Eating disorder:
What are the treatments and therapies of eating disorders?
Early treatment is important for eating disorders as people with ED are more at a higher risk for suicide and medical complications. However, complete recovery is possible with a combination of one or more treatment options as follows:
Psychotherapy:
– Individual, group, and/or family: Involves a family member taking care of the patients diet.
– In another therapy called the cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), identification of distorted thinking patterns are identified and modified.
Medications:
Medications such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, or mood stabilizers may be helpful for treating eating disorders and other accompanying illness, if present, such as anxiety or depression.
Medical care and monitoring: A hospital stay may be recommended in case of serious health concerns relating to eating disorders.
What are the lifestyle changes that can be done if diagnosed with ED?
Along with diligently following the treatment plan, following things can be done to improve the chances of success in overcoming an eating disorder:
- – Find an expert mental health professional specializing in eating disorders
- – Be regular with therapy sessions and with meal plans.
- – Continue physical activity and exercise as suggested by the doctor
- – Ask your doctor about vitamin and mineral supplements to get proper nutrients for the body.
- – Resist urges to weigh yourself and checking yourself in the mirror often. This may increase anxiety and push you to unhealthy habits.
- – Don’t isolate from others who care about you, such as your family members and friends.
References
- Eating disorders. November 2023. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/eating-disorders/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353609
- Eating Disorders. November 2023. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/eating-disorders
- Vaidyanathan S, Kuppili PP, Menon V. Eating Disorders: An Overview of Indian Research. Indian J Psychol Med. 2019 Jul-Aug;41(4):311-317.
