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Eating Disorders |
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What is an eating disorder?
An eating disorder is an obsession with food and weight that harms a person's well-being. Although we all worry about our weight sometimes, people with an eating disorder go to extremes to keep from gaining weight. There are two main eating disorders: anorexia nervosa and bulimia.
What is the difference between anorexia and bulimia?People with anorexia keep themselves underweight. They starve themselves by not eating enough food, they don't eat high-calorie foods, and they may exercise too much. People with bulimia (say: boo-lim-ee-ah) often eat huge amounts of food at one time and then make themselves throw up soon after eating. They also might take laxatives or water pills to keep from gaining weight. People with bulimia usually do not lose as much weight as people with anorexia. Who is at risk for getting an eating disorder? Teenage girls and young women are the most likely to have an eating disorder, but anyone of any age can have one. People who get eating disorders tend to join in activities that stress being thin. Examples of these activities include ballet, gymnastics, running, figure skating, and cheerleading. People with eating disorders may have depression (feeling sad and hopeless, and losing interest in things you used to enjoy) or anxiety (feeling nervous or worrying too much). They may also feel that they need to be perfect. What are the health risks of eating disorders? Eating disorders can cause serious health problems, even death. If you have an eating disorder, your body may not get enough important vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. This can lead to problems with your heart, bones, skin, digestive system, and hormones. Making yourself throw up may cause your teeth to break down. How are eating disorders treated? The goal of treatment is to make your health and eating habits better. You may need to work with your doctor, a dietitian, and a counselor to be able to do this. They can help you: Manage any physical problems caused by the eating disorder Develop good eating habits and stay at a healthy weight Change how you think about food and about yourself Improve how you handle feelings such as anger, anxiety, and feeling hopeless or helpless Develop ways to keep the eating disorder from coming back Your family may be included in your treatment plan. Your doctor may prescribe medicine to help you with depression or anxiety. Medicines alone are not enough to help you get better. If you have bulimia, working with a counselor and using self-help books may help you get better. However, this is not the best treatment if you have anorexia. You may need to be treated in a hospital if you are dangerously thin or have major medical problems. Talk to your family doctor about which treatment plan is best for you. Are there ways to help myself get better? Make and keep regular appointments with your doctor Eat regular meals Exercise regularly, but do not over exercise Don't use laxatives or diet pills Don't follow fad diets or diets with very few food choices or too few calories Don't use caffeine, alcohol, or cigarettes
Where can I learn more about eating disorders? National Eating Disorders Association National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Eating Disorder Referral and Information Center Something Fishy American Academy of Family Physicians
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Warning Signs of an Eating Disorder · Unnatural concern about body weight (even if the person is not overweight) · Too much thinking about calories, fat grams, and food · Use of medicines such as diet pills, laxatives, and water pills to keep from gaining weight More serious warning signs may be hard to notice because people who have an eating disorder try to keep it secret. Watch for these signs: · Throwing up after meals · Refusing to eat or lying about how much was eaten · Fainting · Exercising too much · No longer having periods · Worrying about weight · Calluses or scars on the knuckles (from forced throwing up) · Denying that there is anything wrong |