Eating Disorders
What is an eating disorder?
Eating disorders are extreme expressions of a range of weight and food issues experienced by both men and women. They include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating. All are serious emotional problems that can have life-threatening consequences. All eating disorders require professional help. Eating disorders arise from a combination of psychological, interpersonal, and social conditions. Feelings of inadequacy, depression, anxiety, and loneliness, as well as troubled family and personal relationships, may contribute the development of an eating disorder. Our culture, with its unrelenting idealization of thinness and the "perfect body," is often a contributing factor. Sometimes people try to cope with painful emotions and feelings of loss of control by dieting, bingeing, and purging, but these behaviors undermine physical health, self-esteem, and a sense of competence and control.
Anorexia Nervosa is characterized by self-starvation and excessive weight loss. Symptoms vary, but can include:
- Refusal to maintain body weight at or above a minimally normal weight for height, body type, age, and activity level.
- Intense fear of weight gain and being “fat”
- Feeling fat or overweight despite dramatic weight loss
- Loss of menstrual periods
- Extreme concern with body weight and shape
Bulimia Nervosa is characterized by a secretive cycle of binge eating followed by purging. Symptoms vary, but can include:
- Repeated episodes of bingeing and purging
- binge eating (eating, in a discrete period of time (e.g., within any 2-hour period), an amount of food that is larger than most people would eat during a similar period of time, accompanied by a sense of lack of control over one’s eating during the episode, and by eating beyond the point of comfortable fullness)
- Purging (recurrent inappropriate compensatory behavior in order to prevent weight gain, such as self-induced vomiting; misuse of laxatives, diuretics, enemas, or other medications; fasting, or excessive exercise)
- Extreme concern with body weight and shape
Binge-Eating Disorder (also known as Compulsive Overeating) is characterized primarily by periods of uncontrolled, impulsive, or continuous eating beyond the point of feeling comfortably full. While there is no purging, there may be sporadic fasts or repetitive diets and often feelings of shame or self-hatred after a binge. Body weight may vary from normal to mild, moderate, or severe obesity.
Other eating disorders can include some combination of the signs and symptoms of anorexia, bulimia, and/or binge eating disorder. While these behaviors may not be clinically diagnosed as a full syndrome eating disorder, they can still be physically dangerous and emotionally draining.
Warning Signs:
- A marked increase or decrease in weight not related to a medical condition.
- The development of abnormal eating habits such as severe dieting, preference for strange foods, withdrawn or ritualized behavior at mealtime, or secretive bingeing.
- An intense preoccupation with weight and body image.
- Compulsive or excessive exercising.
- Self-induced vomiting, periods of fasting, or laxative, diet pill, or diuretic abuse.
- Feelings of isolation, depression, or irritability.
What are the treatments for eating disorders?
The most effective and long-lasting treatment for an eating disorder is some form of counseling, coupled with careful attention to medical, psychiatric and nutritional needs. Care should be coordinated and provided by health professionals with expertise and experience in working with eating disorders. The treatment needs of each individual will vary.
Where can you go for help?
To make an appointment with a professional from the Eating Disorders Treatment Team, contact Student Health Services by calling 314.935.6695. The nurse who answers the phone will ask you some questions in order to connect you with the appropriate professional for your first visit (a counselor, a psychiatrist, a physician, or a dietitian).
On-Line Resources
- National Eating Disorders Association www.nationaleatingdisorders.org
- ANRED (Anorexia Nervosa and Related Disorders): www.anred.com
How to help a friend?
- Set a time to talk. Set aside a time for a private, respectful meeting with your friend to discuss your concerns openly and honestly in a caring, supportive way. Make sure you will be away from distractions. Realize that you may be rejected. People with eating disorders often deny their problem. If this happens, don’t take it personally. Take your concern to a trusted adult or medical professional immediately.
- Communicate your concerns . Share your memories of specific times when you felt concerned about your friend’s eating or exercise behaviors. Explain that you think these things may indicate that there could be a problem that needs professional attention.
- Ask your friend to explore these concerns with a counselor, doctor, dietitian, or other health professional who is knowledgeable about eating issues. If you feel comfortable doing so, offer to help your friend make an appointment or accompany your friend on the first visit.
- Avoid conflicts or a battle of the wills with your friend. If your friend refuses to acknowledge that there is a problem, or any reason for you to be concerned, restate your feelings and the reasons for them and leave yourself open and available as a supportive listener.
- Avoid placing shame, blame, or guilt on your friend regarding their actions or attitudes. Do not use accusatory “you” statements like “you just need to eat” or “you are acting irresponsibly.” Instead, use “I” statements such as “I am concerned about you because you refuse to eat breakfast or lunch” or “it makes me afraid to hear you vomiting.”
- Avoid giving simple solutions such as “If you’d just stop, then everything would be fine!”
- Know your limits . Don’t take on the role of counselor or food monitor; it is important for you to maintain appropriate boundaries.
- Express your continued support . Remind your friend that you care and want your friend to be healthy and happy.
After talking with your friend, if you are still concerned about their health and safety, find a trusted adult or medical professional to talk to. You can consult with an SHS counselor for support and assistance to help your friend.
How can you learn more?
Professional
- For brochures and other resources, visit Health Promotion Services or contact Melissa Ruwitch at 935-7139 or via email.
- For nutrition information or programs, contact Connie Diekman, M.Ed., R.D., at 935-4439 or via email.
Peer
To request an educational program on eating disorders and body image, contact Reflections student group at washureflections@yahoo.com
Source: National Eating Disorders Association
Health Promotion Services, December 2005
