article on "What are Eating Disorders?"

From:

http://www.counsel.ufl.edu/brochure.asp?inclu de=brochures/understanding_eating_disorders.b rochure
What are Eating Disorders?

Eating disorders refers to a variety of disturbed eating behaviors, all associated with using food for emotional reasons. They range along a continuum from chronic dieting to compulsive overeating to cycles of binging and purging to self-starvation. While the frequency and severity of the problems differ, they all have in common turning to food as a way to cope with problems. Often, there is an underlying belief that being thinner would be a solution to troubles and demonstrate proof of control in one's life.

Eating disorders are common among the college age population. The majority of individuals with eating disorders are women (about 90%) although men can also have eating disorders. Women are especially vulnerable to eating disorders because of the societal emphasis placed on appearance, external approval, and thinness as an ideal.

The most frequent problem is chronic dieting (normative behavior among college women), followed by compulsive overeating, bulimia, and anorexia. The following descriptions of eating disorders focus on these four types, although keep in mind that not everyone fits a "type."

Compulsive Overeating People who binge eat but do not purge are compulsive overeaters. Binges involve eating foods for emotional rather than nutritional reasons. The binge may involve a feelings of loss of control or "being bad" by eating large quantities or "forbidden" foods. There is a preoccupation with food and a turning to food for comfort when stressed. Compulsive overeating may also be a form of rebellion against the pressure to fit stereotypic social roles or a way to swallow uncomfortable feelings such as anger. Many compulsive overeaters are overweight and some may appear obese. Not all people who are obese, however, are compulsive overeaters.

Bulimia Bulimia is known as the "binge-purge" syndrome because it is typified by episodes of binge eating followed by purging. The purge is usually through self-induced vomiting, but it may also be in the form of excessive exercising, restrictive eating, diuretic or laxative abuse. The binge may involve large quantities of high caloric foods, although some bulimics experience a binge with large quantities of low caloric foods or moderate quantities of "forbidden" foods.

Bulimia can be hidden from others, since bulimics appear to be within a normal weight range. The binge/purge episodes may be a few times a week or several times a day. Physical complications include dental problems, swelling of the parotid glands, digestive tract problems, and electrolyte imbalance.

Persons with bulimia have low self esteem, negative self thoughts, extreme concern with body weight and shape, depressed feelings, and a sense of shame. They may be coping with identity questions, concerns about relationships, family problems, or past sexual abuse. They feel out of control and pursue thinness as a way to feel better. However, the consequent dieting and deprivation sets the stage for a binge, followed by a purge. The cycle repeats as the underlying problems have not been addressed.

Chronic Dieting The pursuit of thinness has led many people to feel dissatisfied with body shape or weight, preoccupied with food, fearful of fat, and to frequently be on a diet. Chronic dieting disrupts healthy eating patterns, and usually leads to a lapse, feelings of failure, and renewed vows to diet. It may be accompanied by excessive exercise regimes to appear more fit. Chronic dieters often have negative self thoughts and may avoid social activities when they feel the do not look good enough. Feeling good about oneself is confused with external appearance. Self-esteem is weighed on the scale rather than experienced as an internal feeling.

Anorexia Anorexia is characterized by extreme weight loss accomplished by very restrictive eating or fasting. Other forms of purging may also occur. Often there is a denial of the problem. Despite an emaciated appearance, persons with anorexia have a distorted body image, "feel fat," and continue to want to lose weight in order to feel more secure.

Symptoms of starvation, including amenorrhea in women and low testosterone levels in men, sensitivity to cold, dehydration, and protein deficiency, occur and may be life threatening.

Persons with anorexia are often perfectionistic. As unrealistic high expectations create stress, low self esteem, and loss of control, anorexics turn to restrictive eating as a way to feel "in control." Highly ritualized eating patterns and extreme fear of fat is common, as is high achievement motivation and social withdrawal.

If You Have An Eating Disorder If any of these descriptions sound like you, you may have an eating disorder. Usually that means that there are some problems bothering you, and you may or may not be aware of these problems. Eating may have become a way for you to cope. Seek help so that you can learn how to feel better and cope more effectively with problems without risking your health.

If You Have A Friend With An Eating Disorder

• Continue to be a friend, to be supportive and caring.
  
  
• Confront your friend with your concerns and suggest seeking professional help.
  
  
• Do not take responsibility for altering her/his eating behavior or any other problems.
  
  
• If you are worried, contact a counselor for consultation.
  
  

Treatment for Eating Disorder

• Eating disorders can be treated.
  
  
• Treatment should be by an interdisciplinary team which includes medical evaluation and supervision, nutritional, and psychological counseling.
  
  
• Psychological counseling may be individual or group.
  
  
• The more severe instances of bulimia and anorexia may require longer term therapy to enable recovery and occasionally hospitalization is recommended.
  
  
• Therapy involves learning how to eat for healthy nutrition and how to find new more effective ways to cope with underlying problems.
  
  
• Seek help; recovery from an eating disorder is possible!
  
  

Thanks for posting this information, Plume!

Educational.  Thanks for posting.