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Effects of Eating Disorders on Mental Health

Writer's picture: Angela WuAngela Wu

author: Nidhisha Balagowni

Binge-Purge: People also greatly restrict the amount and type of food they consume.

Occasionally they experience purging episodes where they binge eat large quantities of food and it's almost always followed by vomiting or using laxatives or diuretics to get rid of what they just consumed. ir eating behaviors. An immediate takeaway should be their persistence in watching the regulations of their foods, body weight, and shape. Common eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating bin disorder. ting bin disorder.


Anorexia Nervosa: What is it?


It is a condition where people avoid food, severely restrict food, or eat very small quantities of only certain foods. They also may weigh themselves repeatedly. Even when dangerously underweight, they may see themselves as overweight.



Anorexia Nervosa has two subtypes: a

“restrictive” subtype and a “binge-purge” subtype.

  • Restrictive: people severely limit the amount and type of food they consume

  • Binge-Purge: People also greatly restrict the amount and type of food they consume. Occasionally they experience purging episodes where they binge eat large quantities of food and it's almost always followed by vomiting or using laxatives or diuretics to get rid of what they just consumed in eating behaviors. An immediate takeaway should be their persistence in watching the regulations of their foods, body weight, and shape. Common eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating binge-purge disorder.


Caution:

  • Distorted body image, and extremely low self-esteem that heavily influences their perception of their body weight and shape. Its danger level can be on par with an extremely high death (mortality) rate compared with other mental disorders. People suffering from anorexia are in danger of dying from medical complications associated with starvation and attempting is the second leading cause of death for people diagnosed with anorexia Nervosa.


Symptoms:

  • Extremely restricted eating

  • Extreme thinness (also known as emaciation)

  • A relentless pursuit of thinness and unwillingness to maintain a normal or healthy weight.

  • Distorted body image, and extremely low self-esteem that heavily influences their perception of their body weight and shape. essionals. Its danger level can be on par with an extremely high death (mortality) rate compared with other mental disorders. People suffering from anorexia are in danger of dying from medical complications associated with starvation and attempting is the second leading cause of death for people diagnosed with anorexia Nervosa.

  • Intense fear of gaining weight. Emily's low self-esteem heavily influences their perception of their body weight and shape.

  • Denial of the seriousness of low body weight


Other symptoms that could develop over time:

  • Thinning of the bones (also known as osteopenia or osteoporosis)

  • Mild anemia and muscle wasting and weakness.

  • Brittle hair and nails.

  • Dry and yellowish skin

  • Growth of fine hair all over the body

  • Severe constipation

  • Low blood pressure

  • Slowed breathing and pulse.

  • Damage to the structure and function of the heart

  • Brain damage

  • Multi-organ failure

  • Drop in internal body temperature, causing a person to feel cold all the time.

  • Lethargy, sluggishness, or feeling tired all the time.


Bulimia Nervosa

  • What is it? It is a condition where people have recurrent and frequent episodes of eating unusually large amounts of food and feeling a lack of control over these episodes. This binge eating is followed by behavior that compensates for the overeating such as forced vomiting, excessive use of laxatives for diuretics, fasting, excessive exercise, or a combination of these behaviors. People with bulimia nervosa may be slightly underweight, normal weight, or overweight.


Symptoms:

  • Chronically inflamed and sore throat

  • What is it? It is a condition where people lose control over their eating and have reoccurring episodes of eating unusually large amounts of food. Unlike bulimia nervosa, periods of binge eating are not allowed by purging, excessive exercise, or fasting. As a result, people with binge-eating disorders often are overweight or obese. It is the most common disorder in the U.S.

  • Worn tooth enamel and increasingly sensitive and decaying teeth as a result of exposure to stomach acid.

  • Acid reflux disorder and other gastrointestinal problems

  • Intestinal distress and irritation from laxative abuse

  • Severe dehydration from purging of fluids

  • Electrolyte imbalance (too low or too high levels of sodium, calcium, potassium, and other minerals) which can lead to stroke or heart attack.


Binge-eating disorder.

  • Eating disorders simply may seem like a lifestyle choice in the eyes of many. However, not everyone is aware of the detrimental effects that eating disorders have on a person’s mental health. They are often caused by emotional disturbances which can drastically force a person to change their eating behaviors. An immediate takeaway should be their persistence in watching the regulations of their foods, body weight, and shape. Common eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder.


Symptoms:

  • Eating unusually large amounts of food in a specific amount of time, such as a 2-hour period.

  • Eating even when you’re full or not hungry.

  • Eating fast during binge sides

  • Eating until you’re uncomfortably full.

  • Eating alone or in secret to avoid embarrassment.

  • Feeling distressed, ashamed, or guilty about your eating

  • Frequently dieting, possibly without weight loss.


Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder:

  • Avoidant Restrictive food Intake Disorder (AFRID), formerly known as selective eating disorder, it’s a condition where people limit the amount or type of food eaten. Unlike anorexia nervosa, people with AFRID do not have a distorted body image or extreme fear of gaining weight. AFRID is most common in middle childhood and usually has an earlier onset than other eating disorders. Children with AFRID do not consume enough calories to grow and develop properly; whereas adults with AFRID who do not consume enough calories cannot maintain basic body function.

  • Symptoms:

    • Dramatic restriction of types or amount of food eaten

    • Lack of appetite or interest in food

    • Dramatic weight loss

    • Upset stomach, abdominal pain, or other gastrointestinal issues with no other known cause.

    • Limited range of preferred foods that becomes even more limited (“picky eating” that gets progressively worse)


Treatment:

  • Full recovery is possible if immediate help is taken from a professional. People with eating disorders are at a higher risk for suicide and medical complications; therefore, reaching out quickly is imperative.

  • Family members are crucial to treatments. If you are an adolescent, it is very helpful to have a trusted family member help you seek out treatment and provide support consistently.

  • Some of the common treatment plans are:

    • Psychotherapy

    • Medical care

    • Nutritional counseling

    • Medications

    • Or a combination of these plans


  • Typical treatment goals include:

    • Restoring adequate nutrition

    • Bringing weight to a healthy level

    • Reducing excessive exercise

    • Stopping binge-purge and binge-eating behaviors


  • People who have eating disorders also may have mental disorders like depression and anxiety or problems with substance use. It’s important that any co-occurring condition is treated alongside eating disorders so that a healthy lifestyle is restored.

Some Self-Coping Strategies:

  • Identify your triggers: once you know what your triggers are, you can try to avoid them or be prepared for them ahead of time.

  • Maintain a food diary: Keeping a food diary can help you become more aware of your eating habits. It can also help you become more aware of your eating habits. It can also help you identify patterns or triggers that you may not have been aware of before.

  • Take small steps: trying to make big changes all at once can be overwhelming. Instead, focus on taking small steps each day to improve your relationship with food and your body. You can do so by eating regular meals, practicing mindful eating, and choosing foods that you enjoy.

  • Challenge your negative thoughts: when you have negative thoughts about yourself or your body, try to counter them with positive ones. For example, if you think “I’m so fat,” try to remind yourself “I am healthy and my weight is normal.

  • Focus on Self-care: make sure to take time for yourself to do things that make you happy. This can include taking a relaxing bath, reading your favorite book, or going for a walk in nature.

  • Find a support system: Talking to friends or family members who are supportive can be helpful.


Bibliography

"Eating Disorders: About More than Food." Nimh.nih.gov, Thenationalinstitueofmentalhealth, www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/eating-disorders. Accessed 2021.

“Atypical Anorexia: What You Need to Know About the Rare Eating Disorders.” Mantracare.org, https://mantracare.org/therapy/eating-disorders/atypical-anorexia/neck

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