An eating disorder is an illness that disrupts a person’s eating behaviors and can cause a person to become preoccupied with food, food intake, and/or their body weight. Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate associated with any mental illness, and at least 30 million Americans deal with an eating disorder, according to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders.
An eating disorder is an illness that disrupts a person’s eating behaviors and can cause a person to become preoccupied with food, food intake, and/or their body weight. Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate associated with any mental illness, and at least 30 million Americans deal with an eating disorder, according to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders.
Eating disorders have been associated with a variety of potential causes, and a combination of some or all of these factors is believed to contribute to an eating disorder.
Biology:
Studies have shown that individuals sometimes have brain circuitry variants that may contribute to an eating disorder.
Genetics:
Research indicates that certain genetic variations may contribute to an eating disorder, and an individual with a family history of eating disorders is
seven to 12 times more likely than others to develop an eating disorder
.
Personality:
People who are prone to obsessive thinking, harm avoidance, and impulsivity have an increased likelihood of developing an eating disorder.
Trauma:
Physical and/or sexual abuse or other traumatic events may make a person more susceptible to shame, guilt, and other feelings, which can lead to an eating disorder.
Common eating disorders include:
:
Causes severely low body weight, a distorted view of weight, and extreme fear of gaining weight; people struggling with anorexia are typically below a healthy weight.
:
Leads a person to eat large amounts of food (binge), then purge to eliminate extra calories; people struggling with bulimia may be within a normal weight range.
:
Causes recurring episodes in which an individual eats large amounts of food and feels unable to stop eating.
:
Involves craving or chewing ice, clay, soil, and other items that have no nutritional value.
Avoidant or Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)
:
Results in highly selective eating habits, interrupted eating patterns, or both; ARFID is similar to anorexia, but it does not cause distress related to body shape or size or an extreme fear of gaining weight.
A person dealing with an eating disorder may display one or more of the following symptoms:
Food rituals
Uncomfortable eating around others
Skipping meals or consuming small portions at meals
Preoccupation with weight and/or diet
Mood swings
Weight loss or gain
Difficulty concentrating
Gastrointestinal issues like constipation and/or stomach cramps
Dizziness
Fainting
Insomnia
Muscle weakness
Common eating disorder treatments include:
Medication:
Antidepressant and/or anti-anxiety medications are sometimes used to help patients manage their eating disorders.
Psychotherapy:
Talk therapy allows a patient to discuss his or her eating disorder thoughts and feelings with a mental health counselor and develop coping strategies.
Dietary Changes:
A nutritionist can help an eating disorder patient create and implement a balanced, nutritional diet.
To learn more about eating disorder treatment, please contact SokyaHealth online or call us at 866-932-1767.
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