Eating disorders can affect people in all demographics, cultures, and religions. They are not caused by any single factor. Studies show they arise from a combination of behavioral, biological, emotional, psychological, interpersonal, and social factors.
Misconceptions and stereotypes about eating disorders can lead to delayed treatment and insufficient support.
Signs and symptoms
Some general symptoms of disordered eating are as follows:
- Behaviors and attitudes indicating that weight loss, dieting, and control of food are becoming primary concerns
- Preoccupation with weight, food, calories, carbohydrates, fat grams, or dieting
- Refusal to eat certain foods, with progressing restrictions against whole categories of food (e.g., no carbohydrates, etc.)
- Discomfort eating around others
- Food rituals (e.g., eating only a particular food or food group [e.g., condiments], excessive chewing, not allowing foods to touch)
- Regularly skipping meals or taking only small portions of food
- New practices with food or fad diets, including cutting out entire food groups (no sugar, no carbs, no dairy, vegetarianism/veganism)
- Withdrawal from usual friends and activities
- Frequent dieting
- Extreme concern with body size and shape
- Frequent checks in the mirror for perceived flaws in appearance
- Noticeable fluctuations in weight, both up and down
- Abnormal laboratory findings (anemia, low thyroid and hormone levels, low potassium, low white and red blood cell counts)
- Wearing of baggy clothes and extreme self-consciousness of body and appearance
All eating disorders can lead to life-threatening problems. The earlier an eating disorder is detected and treated, the greater the chances of recovery. A huge step toward getting healthy is recognizing the problem. When eating habits are affecting your life, your happiness, and your ability to concentrate or function properly, talk about what you’re going through.
Types
There are several types of disordered eating and eating disorders. Below is a brief description of each illness, including warning signs and symptoms, health consequences, and clinical statistics.
Classification of symptoms:
Atypical anorexia nervosa: Similar to anorexia, except the person’s weight remains at or above normal.
Binge eating disorder (of low frequency and/or limited duration): Similar to binge eating, except not as frequent and/or for fewer than three months.
Bulimia nervosa (of low frequency and/or limited duration): Similar to bulimia nervosa, except not as frequent and/or for fewer than three months.
Purging disorder: The person repeatedly purges to change weight or shape, but does not binge eat.
Night eating syndrome: The person consistently wakes up at night to eat or eats an excessive amount after dinner.
Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID): The person limits the amount and/or types of food he or she eats but not to change body shape or size. He or she fails to eat enough to maintain basic bodily functions. Previously referred to as “selective eating disorder.”
Pica: The person eats items that are not typically thought of as food and that do not contain significant nutritional value. Children under age two often put small objects in their mouths, but this is not considered pica, even when they eat the objects. Generally, those with pica have no problems eating food.
Rumination disorder: The person regularly regurgitates food for at least one month. He or she may rechew, re-swallow, or spit out the regurgitated food, and is not stressed, upset, or disgusted about it.
Unspecified feeding or eating disorder: The person has symptoms of a feeding or eating disorder that cause distress or impairment but do not meet the full criteria or have not yet been specifically diagnosed.
Laxative abuse: The person repeatedly and frequently uses laxatives to purge unwanted calories, lose weight, feel thin, or feel empty. This disorder is serious and dangerous.
Compulsive exercise: The person exercises an excessive amount, allowing it to significantly interfere with his or her life.
When to see a doctor
The following are indications that you may need to see a doctor about a possible eating disorder:
- Feelings: Relationship to food is causing distress or getting in the way of everyday activities; there is a compulsion to eat large amounts of food.
- Pain: You experience chest pain, severe pain anywhere (such as the joints or torso), or severe belly pain (which may indicate digestive bleeding).
- Digestion and elimination: You have severe sore throat, acid reflux, vomiting, or are unable to pass urine.
- Heart: You have palpitations or irregular heartbeat (pounding faster or slower than normal).
- Other: There is shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting spells, slurred speech, or blurred vision.
Failure to seek medical attention when these symptoms are present could lead to a life-or-death situation.
In general, it’s never a good idea to use the “wait and see” approach if you’re concerned about yourself or someone you love. Your regular physician can help right away and refer you to other specialists if you need further treatment.
How to begin the conversation
Don’t attempt to address disordered eating concerns alone. Involve someone you trust to support you as you begin recovery. Discuss your feelings so he or she may offer comfort, support, safety, and direction, which will aid in your healing.
It is never too early to ask for help about eating concerns. These behaviors can quickly get out of control and lead to a full-blown eating disorder.
When starting a conversation about eating behaviors, whether your own, or with someone for whom you are concerned, choose a safe and private environment. Explain the situation, starting with how the disordered eating situation began or when the concerns of an eating disorder were first seen. Approach this conversation with calmness and understanding.
Focus on the facts about eating disorders. The support needs will change with the stages of recovery. Let the person who needs the support ask for what he or she needs and when. Be patient and understanding with yourself and the person you have trusted to help.
Above all, remember that no two people are alike. Regardless of shapes and sizes, we are each special and unique. Recovering from an eating disorder includes coming to a healthy weight and eating right. Healing involves recovery and developing a healthy relationship with food. Find and maintain support as you heal, whether through private therapy or participation in focused support groups.