Eating DisorderEating Disorders describe illnesses that are characterized by irregular eating habits and severe distress or concern about body weight or shape. Eating disturbances may include inadequate or excessive food intake which can ultimately damage an individual’s well-being. The most common forms of eating disorders include Anorexia Nervosa & Bulimia Nervosa and affect both females and males.
4 Myths about Eating Disorders"Eating disorders only affect women"
Fact: Although eating disorders are more common in women, statistics shows that men are still affected "You can tell whether or not someone has an eating disorder by the way they look" Fact: The media often portrays people with eating disorders as skeletal and emaciated, but the truth is that people with eating disorders can be any size. "Eating disorders are a choice" Fact: No one chooses to have an eating disorder, and it stems from underlying psychological issues. "Naturally slim people don't become anorexic or bulimic" Fact: Anyone of any weight can develop an eating disorder. |
Anorexia Nervosa |
Anorexia nervosa is a complex eating disorder with three key features:
Thoughts about dieting, food, and your body may take up most of your day—leaving little time for friends, family, and other activities you used to enjoy. Life becomes a relentless pursuit of thinness and going to extremes to lose weight. But no matter how skinny you become, it’s never enough. While people with anorexia often deny having a problem, the truth is that anorexia is a serious and potentially deadly eating disorder. Fortunately, recovery is possible. With proper treatment and support, you or someone you care about can break anorexia’s self-destructive pattern and regain health and self-confidence. |
Bulimia Nervosa |
Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by frequent episodes of binge eating, followed by frantic efforts to avoid gaining weight. It affects women and men of all ages.
When you’re struggling with bulimia, life is a constant battle between the desire to lose weight or stay thin and the overwhelming compulsion to binge eat. You don’t want to binge—you know you’ll feel guilty and ashamed afterwards—but time and again you give in. During an average binge, you may consume from 3,000 to 5,000 calories in one short hour. After it ends, panic sets in and you turn to drastic measures to “undo” the binge, such as taking ex-lax, inducing vomiting, or going for a 10-mile run. And all the while, you feel increasingly out of control. It’s important to note that bulimia doesn’t necessarily involve purging—physically eliminating the food from your body by throwing up or using laxatives, enemas, or diuretics. If you make up for your binges by fasting, exercising to excess, or going on crash diets, this also qualifies as bulimia. |
Adapted from: HelpGuide.org