EATING DISORDERS

Do you really know what an eating/ feeding disorder is? How many do you know of and how can you tell if you or someone else is suffering from one?

A feeding/ eating disorder is any psychological disorder characterized by a persistent disturbance of eating or  eating related behavior that results in the altered consumption or absorption of food, and that significantly impairs Physical health or psychosocial functioning.

The major eating disorders include:

1. Pica
2. Rumination Disorder
3. Avoidant/ restrictive food intake Disorder
4. Anorexia Nervosa
5. Bulimia Nervosa
6. Binge- eating Disorder

Pica

This is an eating disorder characterized by persistent eating of nonnutritive, nonfood substances over a period of at least one month.The eating of the nonnutritive substances is inappropriate to the developmental level of the individual (Toddlers usually eat nonfood substances such as clothing, etc) and it cannot be classified as a cultural/ social practice.

Items that individuals with pica may consume include (but are not limited to) the following:

• clothing
• soap
• buttons
• clay
• hair
• dirt
• sand
• paint
• glue

There is no single cause of pica. In some cases, a deficiency in iron, zinc, or another nutrient may lead to pica. The body will attempt to replace these elements through “food.” Anemia (iron deficiency) may be the underlying cause of pica in pregnant women.

Individuals with certain mental issues, such as schizophrenia and obsessive-compulsive disorder may develop pica as a coping mechanism.

Rumination Disorder

This is a condition in which people repeatedly and unintentionally spit up (regurgitate) undigested food from the stomach, re- chew it, and then either re- swallow the food or spit it out. Rumination is a reflex, not a conscious decision. The repeated regurgitation of food is not associated with a gastrointestinal or any other medical condition

People with this disorder repeatedly regurgitate small amounts of food from the stomach without trying to do so. The food is then partially or completely re- chewed and re- swallowed or spit out. The food hasn't been digested, so people with rumination syndrome often report that the food tastes normal, not acidic like vomit.

The precise cause is unknown. Rumination may be an unconscious, learned behavior that involves the belch reflex. Untreated, rumination syndrome can damage the tube between your mouth and stomach (esophagus) and cause unhealthy weight loss.

Avoidant/ restrictive food intake Disorder. 

This is an eating or feeding disturbance manifested by persistent failure to meet appropriate nutritional and/or energy needs which is associated with significant weight loss and nutritional deficiency, dependence on enteral feeding or oral nutritional supplements and marked interference with psycHosocial functioning. The disturbance is not better explained by lack of available food or by an associated culturally sanctioned practice.

Anorexia Nervosa 

This is an eating disorder that causes people to be obsessed about their weight and the food they eat. People with anorexia nervosa attempt to maintain a weight that's far below normal for their age and height. The three key features of Anorexia Nervosa are:

• refusal to maintain a healthy body weight
• an intense fear of gaining weight
• a distorted body image

There are two types of anorexia. In the restricting type of anorexia, weight loss is achieved by restricting calories (following drastic diets, fasting, and exercising to excess). In the purging type of anorexia, weight loss is achieved by vomiting or using laxatives and diuretics.

Anorexia has a number of physical, emotional and behavioral signs and symptoms.

Physical signs and symptoms of anorexia include:

• Extreme weight loss
• Thin appearance
• Abnormal blood counts
• Fatigue
• Insomnia
• Dizziness or fainting
• A bluish discoloration of the fingers
• Hair that thins, breaks or falls out
• Soft, downy hair covering the body
• Absence of menstruation
• Constipation
• Dry skin
• Intolerance of cold
• Irregular heart rhythms
• Low blood pressure
• Dehydration
• Osteoporosis
• Swelling of arms or legs

Emotional and behavioral characteristics associated with anorexia include:

• Refusal to eat
• Denial of hunger
• Afraid of gaining weight
• Lying about how much food has been eaten
• Excessive exercise
• Flat mood (lack of emotion)
• Social withdrawal
• Irritability
• Preoccupation with food
• Reduced interest in sex
• Depressed mood
• Possible use of laxatives, diet aids or herbal products

Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by frequent episodes of binge eating, followed by frantic efforts to avoid gaining weight. Bulimia can be categorized in two ways:

Purging bulimia. One regularly self-induce vomiting or misuse laxatives, diuretics or enemas after bingeing.

Nonpurging bulimia. One uses other methods to rid yourself of calories and prevent weight gain, such as fasting, strict dieting or excessive exercise.

Bulimia signs and symptoms may include:

• Being preoccupied with your body shape and weight
• Living in fear of gaining weight
• Feeling that you can't control your eating behavior
• Eating until the point of discomfort or pain
• Eating much more food in a binge episode than in a normal meal or snack
• Forcing yourself to vomit or exercise too much
• Misusing laxatives, diuretics or enemas after eating
• Using dietary supplements or herbal products for weight loss

Helping a loved one with bulimia symptoms

If you think a loved one may have symptoms of bulimia, have an open and honest discussion about your concerns. You can't force someone to seek professional care, but you can offer encouragement and support. You can also help find a qualified doctor or mental health provider, make an appointment and even offer to go along.

Because most people with bulimia are of normal weight or even slightly overweight, it may not be apparent to others that something is wrong. Red flags that family and friends may notice include:

• Constantly worrying or complaining about being fat
• Having a distorted, excessively negative body image
• Repeatedly eating unusually large quantities of food in one sitting, especially high-fat or sweet foods
• Not wanting to eat in public or in front of others
• Going to the bathroom right after eating or during meals
• Exercising too much
• Having sores, scars or calluses on the knuckles or hands
• Having damaged teeth and gums

Binge- eating Disorder 

This is characterized by recurring episodes of binge eating without efforts of the affected individuals to compensate by undoing the binge episodes by purging, excessively exercising, and/or inappropriately using medications like laxatives or diet pills. Its symptom include:

• Eating unusually large amounts of food
• Eating even when you're full or not hungry
• Eating rapidly during binge episodes
• Eating until you're uncomfortably full
• Frequently eating alone
• Feeling that your eating behavior is out of control
• Feeling depressed, disgusted, ashamed, guilty or upset about your eating
• Experiencing depression and anxiety
• Feeling isolated and having difficulty talking about your feelings
• Frequently dieting, possibly without weight loss
• Losing and gaining weight repeatedly, also called yo-yo dieting