Eating disorders are mental illnesses that can cause serious health complications and can be fatal. Anorexia nervosa, a type of eating disorder, is one of the mental illnesses with the highest mortality rates.
Eating disorders are harmful mental disorders that affect physical health and impair psychological and social functioning. These disorders are responsible for causing one death every 52 minutes.
Anorexia nervosa stands out among this group of disorders as the leading cause of death, and it’s responsible for the second-highest mortality rate among mental illnesses.
Yes, eating disorders are mental health issues. Mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and suicide attempts occur more frequently in people with eating disorders.
Research shows that some mental traits increase the risk of having certain eating disorders, and these eating disorders, in turn, coexist with certain mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, ADHD, and suicidal thoughts. Here are some psychological traits that increase a person’s chances of developing an eating disorder:
The most common eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder,
says Sarah Boss (MD), a clinical director, psychiatrist, psychotherapist, and somatic experiencing practitioner at The Balance Luxury Rehab.
Anorexia nervosa is a condition where people eat very little food, exercise excessively, and have fears of being overweight while actually being underweight. People with this condition constantly think about what they weigh and typically have a body mass index of less than 18.5, even as adults.
The two types of anorexia are:
Restrictive: Individuals with restrictive anorexia don’t eat as much as they should. They may also turn to excessive exercise and often fast to avoid gaining healthy weight.
Binge-purge: In addition to restricting their food intake, people with this type of anorexia also go through alternate episodes of binge eating and purging. This may be done with the aid of diuretics, laxatives, or vomiting.
People with anorexia may experience life-threatening complications such as anemia, muscle weakness, bone thinning, and cardiac abnormalities. Apart from opioid use disorder, anorexia nervosa has the highest mortality rate among other psychiatric disorders.
Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder where people alternate between eating overly large quantities of food and purging (compensatory actions to lose the food). Food-binging episodes may last for weeks before they switch to obsessively trying to prevent weight gain.
These purging actions include starvation (not eating or eating tiny quantities of food), vomiting, excessive exercise, and the use of laxatives. Unlike anorexia, which is defined by low body weight, people with this bulimia may have a normal weight or be overweight. This makes the condition more difficult to recognize.
Most of the complications of bulimia arise from their unhealthy methods of losing weight. For example, they may have tooth decay, an inflamed throat, and acid reflux from constantly throwing up. The use of laxatives and diuretics can also lead to disrupted electrolyte balance, dehydration, and intestinal problems.
People with binge eating disorders eat enormous amounts of food while feeling a loss of control over their actions. Their binge eating episodes don't end in purging, unlike those with bulimia nervosa. They tend to be overweight or obese.
Binge eating disorder is often accompanied by shame and guilt about their eating habits, so they may prefer to eat alone. Common signs of this condition include eating even when not hungry or until one is uncomfortably full. They may also try different ways to lose weight, but are largely unsuccessful.
Recognizing the presence of an eating disorder can be challenging, as individuals may attempt to conceal their behaviors or minimize the severity of their symptoms,
says Marissa Moore (MA), a licensed professional counselor, therapist, and mental health consultant writer at Mentalyc.
However, some common mental and emotional signs of eating disorders include:
Yes, eating disorders are curable with proper management. The chances of making a full recovery are higher with early detection of these disorders.
Apart from the different healthcare professionals involved in managing eating disorders, getting support from family and friends aids in one's healing journey. Research shows that involving one's family in the treatment of eating disorders increases the chances of making a full recovery.
Diagnosing and treating eating disorders requires a team of experts from different fields that may include:
A general practitioner (GP) is often the first healthcare professional people see regarding their health problems. They usually diagnose an eating disorder, refer patients to psychiatrists for further evaluation, and assemble a team of other healthcare professionals to manage the patient.
The physician also rules out other diseases that may have similar symptoms by taking a detailed medical history and running tests on the patient.
Psychiatrists can also make the diagnosis of eating disorders. They have a major role in treating these conditions, including talk therapy and medication.
A psychiatrist will discuss the patient’s fears about eating, and can also diagnose other psychiatric conditions that may accompany the eating disorder. Some of the medications they prescribe are antidepressants and antipsychotics.
Consulting a registered dietitian is crucial to adequately managing eating disorders. After a period of prolonged fasting, malnourished patients cannot immediately return to eating food in regular quantities, or they may develop medical complications.
Dietitians tell patients what foods are safe to eat and what quantities to eat until their body systems return to normal (refeeding). They're also involved in helping patients regulate their eating habits.
These professionals often use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a form of psychotherapy, to help eating disorder patients identify and manage negative thoughts regarding food, weight, and body image.
This helps patients improve their coping skills and change harmful behavioral patterns that worsen eating disorders.
Given the link between eating disorders and other mental health conditions, understanding how to maintain your psychological well-being is crucial. This may help lower your risk of developing disordered eating patterns.
Some ways to protect your mental health are:
Eating disorders are debilitating mental illnesses. The first step to healing from them is accepting that there is indeed a problem. Seek help for eating disorders if you experience any of the following:
Eating disorders are mental health conditions affecting millions of people from various backgrounds worldwide. The presence of other mental health issues like depression and anxiety is a risk factor for developing these disorders.
Diagnosing and treating eating disorders is a team effort, often requiring family physicians, psychiatrists, dietitians, and psychotherapists. Receiving the support of family and friends helps speed the recovery journey.
Are eating disorders self-diagnosable?
Are eating disorders genetic?
Can you have anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa at the same time?
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