An eating disorder is characterized by a strange eating behavior and unhealthy beliefs about eating and weight. It is most commonly found in a young female during her adolescence. It can go undetected for years. You must recognize an eating disorder before the treatment process can begin. There are 3 main types of eating disorders: anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating.
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by restricted eating or self-starvation. They have a fear of food because they are afraid of becoming overweight. A person with anorexia nervosa refuses to maintain a safe body weight. They try to reach a dangerously low weight by going on extreme diets, fasting and compulsively exercising. Some people even refuse to eat and put themselves in danger of starving to death. They view themselves as being fat even if they are actually emaciated or dangerously thin. They set unreasonably high standards for how their body should look. A person with anorexia nervosa will usually undergo bouts of depression and anxiety. They may also abuse illegal drugs or go through mood swings. Some women may go through three or more consecutive months without a menstrual period. A case of anorexia nervosa usually begins while you are dieting and after a stressful event has occurred. About 1 percent of the American population has anorexia nervosa. About 90 percent of these cases happen to females. Most of these people are Caucasians who come from middle-class and upper-class backgrounds. About 5 to 10 percent of the people who suffer from anorexia nervosa die because of starvation, cardiac arrest, or suicide.
Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder that consists of repeated bouts of binge eating. A person who is a binge eater has an uncontrollable urge to eat excessive amounts of food. This person will believe that he or she is overweight even when they are not. Some of these people induce vomiting, also known as purging, or use laxatives or diuretics to get rid of all of the food that was eaten during binging. Other people might fast and/or exercise excessively instead. People with bulimia nervosa might also abuse illegal drugs, feel depressed, or feel uneasy or fearful for no reason. The medical complications that accompany bulimia nervosa are not as dangerous as those that accompany anorexia nervosa. All of the binging and purging or fasting might result in dental and periodontal problems, heart problems, bleeding in the esophagus and ruptures in the lining of the stomach. About 2 percent of the American population suffers from bulimia nervosa. About 90 percent of these people are female. Most of these people are Caucasians from middle-class and upper-class backgrounds. However, it is getting more common among non-Caucasian groups. Bulimia nervosa occurs mainly to vulnerable people who have already suffered through a traumatizing event.
No one had heard of binge eating disorder until the term was first introduced to the public in 1992. Binge eating disorder consists of repeated bouts of overeating. A person with this disorder has an irresistible need to eat. Eating is usually done in private. After the eating is done, this person usually feels very guilty or remorseful. However, unlike bulimia nervosa, there is no purging, fasting, excessive exercising, or use of laxatives or diuretics. About 3 percent of Americans suffer from the binge eating disorder. Most people with this disorder are adults. It may surprise some people to know that just as many females as males are afflicted with it and it is also prevalent across all ethnic groups. You do not have to be overweight to be diagnosed with this disorder. In spite of this, studies indicate that 40 percent of obese people have the binge eating disorder. These people are at a higher risk for medical complications because of further weight gain. Binge eaters who are also obese might also abuse illegal drugs, suffer from depression, lack self-confidence, or feel that his or her body does not measure up to the standards of modern society. Medical researchers have yet to determine the cause of this eating disorder.
Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Eating Disorders Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell |  |
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