Eating Disorders Awareness Week
- Gail McShan-Elly
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
What are eating disorders?
Eating Disorders Awareness Week is typically observed in the last week of February. According to the American Psychiatric Association, eating disorders are a serious medical condition that involves severe and persistent disturbances in eating behaviors that impair psychosocial functioning. Eating disorders affect up to 5% of the population.
Who is at risk?
Eating disorders can affect people of all ages, races, and ethnic backgrounds. Studies have shown that a combination of biological, behavioral, psychological, genetic, and social factors can increase a person's risk. These habits can cause them to become fixated on or obsessed with weight loss, body weight, or shape, to the point of controlling their food intake.
How are eating disorders classified?
Eating disorders can include, but are not limited to, conditions such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. All of which impact both physical and mental health:
Anorexia nervosa – people with this disorder avoid or restrict intake due to self-image or a fear of gaining weight. Anorexia nervosa can be fatal.
Bulimia nervosa – People with this disorder eat, and then engage in behaviors to prevent gaining weight, such as using laxatives or forcing themselves to vomit.
Binge eating disorder – People with this disorder regularly lose control of their eating and binge on unusually large amounts of food. These people are often obese or overweight.
What are the symptoms of an eating disorder?
Spotting symptoms can be difficult, and it’s not possible to tell by just looking at someone if they are suffering from an eating disorder. Symptoms of eating disorders can vary for each disorder and can include mood swings, fatigue, fainting, dizziness, thinning hair or hair loss, unexplained weight changes or drastic weight loss, and hot flashes.
Behavioral symptoms may include restricted eating and binge eating within a short time frame, avoiding certain foods, forced vomiting after meals, using laxatives, compulsive exercising after meals, frequent bathroom breaks after meals, withdrawing from friends or social activities, or throwing away or hiding food.
Eating disorders can lead to heart failure, acid reflux, gastrointestinal problems, low blood pressure, brain damage, organ failure, infertility, strokes, tooth damage, and death.
How are eating disorders diagnosed?
Eating disorders are diagnosed by a physical exam and by reviewing symptoms. The doctor will usually order imaging, blood, and urine tests to rule out other possible causes of the symptoms or to determine if you have complications.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, providers use the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5-TR), to diagnose. The DSM-5-TR outlines symptoms for each type of eating disorder.
How are eating disorders treated?
Eating disorder treatments vary, depending on the situation. Treatment options may include cognitive behavioral therapy, medications such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, or others, and nutrition counseling.
Where can you find help?
(National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders)
NIMH (National Institute of Mental Health)
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McShan-Elly is a writer-for-hire specializing in health, careers, and financial empowerment. With a background in banking and communications, she works closely with businesses to provide digital marketing content. Contact her at mcshanellyg@yahoo.com.
