Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Do You Have an Eating Disorder?



Do You Have an Eating Disorder?


Are you constantly preoccupied by what or how much you eat? Do you eat in secret? Do you feel like no matter how much weight you lose, you still consider yourself “fat?” If the answer to any of these questions is “yes,” then there may be a chance you are suffering from an eating disorder.

There are three main eating disorders:

Anorexia Nervosa:

Image source: http://www.thebalancedmind.org/sites/default/files/iStock_6493749-sad-teen-1.jpeg

Anorexia nervosa, commonly referred to as anorexia, is described as distorted body image and excessive dieting that leads to severe weight loss with a pathological fear of becoming fat.

Signs that you may have anorexia nervosa:

·         Restriction of food intake leading to weight loss or a failure to gain weight resulting in a significantly low body weight·         Fear of becoming fat or of gaining weight
·         Having a distorted view of yourself or of your condition (thinking you are overweight when you are actually underweight, or thinking you’ll gain weight if you eat one meal)
·         The preoccupation with being thin takes over your eating habits, thoughts, and life
·         You no longer get pleasure out of activities or relationships you used to enjoy
·         Lying about how much you eat or hide your eating habits from others
·         Feeling powerful or in control when going without food or over-exercise
·         Loss of period

Consequences of untreated anorexia nervosa:

Can’t think right, sad, moody, irritable, bad memory, fainting, changes in brain chemistry, hair thins and gets brittle, anemia and other blood problems, weak muscles, swollen joints, bone loss, fractures, osteoporosis, kidney stones, kidney failure, constipation, bloating, period stops, problems growing, trouble getting pregnant, bruise easily, dry skin, growth of fine hair all over body, get cold easily, yellow skin, brittle nails, low blood pressure, slow heart rate, heart palpitations, heart failure

Anorexia can be fatal if not properly treated.

Bulimia Nervosa

 Bulimia nervosa, or bulimia, is characterized by frequent episodes of binge eating followed by inappropriate behaviors like self-induced vomiting or abuse of laxatives.

Signs that you have bulimia nervosa:

·         Eating past the point of satiation, even until you feel pain or nausea
·         Using diuretics or laxatives in order to flush waste
·         Throwing up at least once a week after overeating
·         Excessive exercising
·         Distorted body image
·         Fear of weight gain
·         You no longer get pleasure out of activities or relationships you used to enjoy
·         Feeling a loss of control during a binge

More severe cases show signs of chronic vomiting, such as:
·         Swollen cheeks or jaw area
·         Calluses or scrapes on the knuckles (if using fingers to induce vomiting)
·         Teeth that look clear
·         Broken blood vessels in the eyes

Consequences of untreated bulimia nervosa:

Depression, anxiety, dizziness, shame, low self-esteem, anemia, swelling and soreness of cheeks, cavities, tooth enamel erosion, gum disease, teeth sensitive to hot and cold, sore and irritated throat and esophagus, blood in vomit, fatigued muscles, stomach pain and ulcers, dry skin, dehydration, low potassium, low magnesium, low sodium, kidney problems, constipation, irregular bowel movements, bloating, diarrhea, abdominal cramping, irregular or absent period, irregular heartbeat, low pulse and blood pressure, heart failure


Binge Eating Disorder


Binge eating disorder (BED) was recently added to the latest version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. It is defined as recurring episodes of eating significantly more food in a short period of time than most people would eat under similar circumstances. It is not to be confused with overeating; binge eating disorder affects about 2% of Americans, whereas overeating is a common problem in which an individual eats past the point of satiety or more calories than their body requires.

Signs that you may have binge eating disorder:

·         Episodes of overeating marked by feelings of lack of control
·         Eating too quickly or when not hungry
·         Feelings of guilt, embarrassment, distress or disgust with behavior
·         Eating alone
·         Feelings persist at least once a week over three months
·         May miss work, school, or social activities to binge eat

Consequences of untreated binge eating disorder:

Depression, stress, trouble sleeping, and weight gain (which in turn may lead to Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, gallbladder disease, heart disease, certain types of cancer)


If any of these sound like you in any way, please speak with your doctor.
The number to the BYU-Idaho Student Health Center Counseling Center is (208) 496-9370.


If you know someone and suspect that they may have an eating disorder, the following are helpful tools for knowing what to do (courtesy of WomensHealth.gov):
1.      Set a time to talk.
Speak privately with your friend in a quiet place where there are no distractions.
2.      Tell your friend about your concerns.
Be honesty and tell your friend about your worries. Tell them you think these things may be a sign of a problem that needs professional help.
3.      Ask your friend to talk to a professional.
Offer to help your friend find a counselor or doctor and make an appointment. You can even offer to go with them for support.
4.      Avoid conflicts.
If your loved one won’t admit that they have a problem, don’t push it. Tell them you are always there to listen and talk.
5.      Don’t place shame, blame, or guilt on your friend.
For example, do no tell them, “You just need to eat.” Instead, say things like, “I’m concerned about you because you won’t eat breakfast or lunch.”
6.      Don’t give simple solutions.
Don’t say, “If you’d just stop, then things would be fine.”
7.      Let your friend know that you will always be there no matter what.


Sources:

http://eatingdisorders.about.com/od/do_I_have_an_eating_disorder/a/Diagnostic-Criteria-For-Anorexia-Nervosa.htm
http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/bulimia-nervosa.html
http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/anorexia-nervosa.html


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