eating disorder
/ediNG di'sorder/
Plural nouns: eating disorders
any of a range of psychological disorders charecterized by abnormal or disturbed eating habits (such as, but not limited to, anorexia and bulimia nervosa)
Once upon a time many people liked to believe that bulimia nervosa, anorexia nervosa and binge eating were the only eating disorders affecting individuals luckily with therapy and integrative treatments we have been able to learn so much more about people's eating habits, and what should look healthy or not. With the help of clinicians and phycians alike we have been able to update the DSM5 with 10 Eating disorders and I will list each one here:
Binge eating: Eating large amounts of food over a short period of time
Anorexia athletica: Going to the gym to burn off meals
Night Eating: Syndrome dieting through the day day, but eating junk food at night
Orthorexia: Obsessing over the nutritional value of food
Pica: Eating and chewing on non-food items
Rummination: Chewing the same food for long periods of time
Drunkorexia: Restricting calories because of planned drinking
Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (ED-NOS): Show signs of disordered eating habits but are a healthy weight.
Anorexia nervosa: Skipping meals
Bulimia nervosa: Going to the bathroom immediately after meals or during meals
THE RED FLAGS
Be alert for eating patterns and beliefs that may signal unhealthy behavior, as well as peer pressure that may trigger eating disorders. RED FLAGS that may indicate an eating disorder include:
-Skipping meals or making excuses for not eating.
-Adopting an overly restrictive vegetarian diet
-Excessive focus on healthy eating
-Making own meals rather than eating what the family eats
-Withdrawing from normal social activities
-Persistent worry or complaining about being 'fat' and talk of losing weight
-Frequent checking in the mirror for perceived flaws
-Repeatedly eating large amounts of sweets or high fat foods
-Use of dietary supplements, laxatives or herbal products for weight loss.
-Excessive excercise
-Calluses on the knuckles from inducing vomiting
-Problems with loss of tooth enamel that may be a sign of repeated vomiting
-Leaving during meals to use the bathroom
--Eating much more food in a meal or snack than iis considered normal
-Expressing depression, disgust, shame, or guilt about eating habits
-Eating in secret
If you're worried that you, a loved one or your child may have an eating disorder contact your primary care physcian to discuss your concerns. If needed, you can get a referral to a qualified mental health professional with expertise in eating disorders, or if your insurance permits you can contact an expert directly.
CAUSES
The exact cause of eating disorders is unknown. As with any other mental illness there may be many causes, such as:
Genetics and Biology:
Certain people may have genes that increase their risk of developing eating disorders. Biological factors, such as changes in brain chemicals, may play a role in eating disorders.
Psychological and Emotional Health:
People with eating disorders may have psychological and emotional problems that contribute to the disorder. They may have low self-esteem, perfectionism, impulsive behavior and troubled relationships.
RISK FACTORS
Teenage girls and young women are more commonly portrayed as the ones struggling with eating disorders. MALES can have eating disorders, as well! The illness doesn't descriminate it just finds it's host, and like the parasite it is it feeds off of you until you are nothing left, telling you beautiful lies as every rabbit hole does, but I'm here to say to you young Alice, I've made my way down that rabbit hole and the trip to wonderland well, it looked all fun and games until the queen ran off with my head. See where was I, oh yes I know where I am going with this one..risk factors (:
Family History:
Eating disorders are signicantly more likely to occur in people who have parents or siblings who've had an eating disorder
Other Mental Health Disorders:
People with an eating disorder often have a history of anxiety disorder, depression, or obsessive-compulsive disorder
Dieting and Starvation:
Dieting is a risk factor for developing an eating diorder. Starvation affects the brain and influences mood changes, rigidity in thinking, anxiety and reduction in appetite. There is strong evidence taht many of the symptoms of an eating disorder are actually symptoms of starvation. Starvation and weight loss may change the way the brain works in vulnerable individuals, which may perpetuate restrictive eating behaviors and make it difficult to return to normal life.
Stress:
Whether it's heading off to college, moving, landing a new job, or a family or relationship issue. Stress is scary, lets try to maximize the joy and minimize fear!
COMPLICATIONS
Eating disorders cause a wide variety of complications, some of them life- threatening the more severe or long lasting the eating disorder, the more likely you are to experience serious complications such as:
-Serious health problems
-Depression and anxiety
-Suicidal thoughts or bahavior
-Problems with growth and development
-Social and relationship problems
-Substance use disorders
-Work and school issues
-Death
PREVENTION
Although there's no sure fire way to prevent eating disorders, here are some strategies to help your child, and you develop healthy-eating behaviors together!:
Avoid dieting around your child
Family dining habits may influence the relationships children have with food. Eating meals together gives you an ppurtunity to teach your child about a well balanced diet in resonable portions.
Talk to your child
For example, there are numerous websites that promote ideas, such as anorexia as a "anorexia is a lifestyle choice" other then what it really is: an eating disorder. It's crucial to correct any misperception like this and to talk to your child about the risks of unhealthy choices
Culivate and reinforce a Healthy Body image:
Whatever their shape or size. Talk to your child about self image and offer reassurnce that body shapes vary. Avoid criticizing your own body in front of your child; try not to at all, messages of acceptance and respect can help build healthy self-esteem and resilence that will carry chldren through the rocky periods of the teen years.
Enlist the help of your child's Physcian
At well visits, physcians may be able to indentify early indicators of an eating disorder They can ask children questions about their eatting habits and satisfaction with their appearance during routinemedical appointments, for instance, these visits should include checks of height and weight percentiles and body mass indx which can alert you and your child's doctor to any significant changes.
** CRISIS CONTACT**
NEDA - (800)931-2237
call or text Monday-Thursday: 11am-9pm ET National Eating Disorders Association
Friday:11am-5pm ET Here's the link to their website.
HOLIDAY CLOSURE INFORMATION
Saturday, January 1 2022 (New Year's Day)
Monday, January 17 2022 (Martin Luther King Day)
Monday, February 21 2022 (president's Day)
Thank you for taking the time to sit here with me and read up on a topic I myself am passionate about, not only because I have struggled with unhealthy and abnormaled eating patterns, but I know other's who have, and are and it it always be so much worse...so I would just like to call back the attention to this one thing.. we all have a warrior, lioness, phoenix, dragon, whatever it is you feeel inside raditate that healing white light into your core and nurture the true and beautiful pure soul that you harness within you,
i will do my best to be back sooner, my husband also did some art for this post so heads up for my art fans! Take good care everyone Merry Christmas!! I'll be back no later then next year. ;P
