Eating Disorder
What is an eating disorder?
Eating disorders are associated with significant physical complications and increased mortality. The mortality rate for people with eating disorders is the highest of all psychiatric illnesses, and over 12 times higher than that for people without eating disorders. Eating disorders occur in both men and women, young and old, rich and poor, and from all cultural backgrounds. About one in 20 Australians has an eating disorder and the rate in the Australian population is increasing. An eating disorder is a serious mental illness, characterised by eating, exercise and body weight or shape becoming an unhealthy preoccupation of someone's life. It’s estimated that one million Australians have an eating disorder, and this number is increasing. Eating disorders are not a lifestyle choice, a diet gone wrong or a cry for attention. Eating disorders can take many different forms and interfere with a person’s day to day life. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) recognises four eating disorders: Warning signs and symptoms
It is important to know the warning
signs of an eating disorder. These may indicate that an eating disorder
is developing or is being experienced in full. Below are lists of
behavioural, physical and psychological signs or changes which often accompany
an eating disorder. If you or somebody you know is experiencing several of the
following symptoms, it is important to seek help immediately to determine if
you/they have a problem. Early intervention is vital in promoting
recovery. It is also important to realise that
these warning signs may not be as easy to detect as they sound. The person with
the eating disorder often experiences shame or guilt about their behaviour, and
will try to hide it. Also, many people with eating disorders do not realise
they have a problem, or even if they do they will not want to give up their
behaviour at first, because it is their mechanism for coping with an
issue. Thus they will go to extraordinary lengths to hide the signs of
their behaviour.
Please note that any combination of
these symptoms can be present in an eating disorder, because no one eating
disorder is exactly the same as another. It is also possible for a person to
demonstrate several of these signs and yet not have an eating disorder.
It is always best to seek a professional opinion.
Behavioural warning signs
Physical warning signs
Psychological warning signs
Types & Symptoms of Eating Disorders
Eating
disorders -- such as anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder – include
extreme emotions, attitudes, and behaviors surrounding weight and food issues.
Eating disorders are serious emotional and physical problems that can have
life-threatening consequences for females and males. Click on the links below
to learn more about the different types of eating disorders and their symptoms.
· Anorexia Nervosa · Bulimia Nervosa · Binge Eating Disorder · Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED) · Additional Eating or Feeding Disorders Eating Disorder Health Concerns Eating disorders are potentially life-threatening conditions that affect a person’s emotional and physical health. They can have serious consequences for health, productivity, and relationships. · Health Consequences of Eating Disorders · Dental Complications of Eating Disorders · Laxative Abuse: Some Basic Facts Statistics on Eating Disorders Eating disorders impact millions of people every year in the United States. · General Statistics · Mortality and Eating Disorders · Prevalence and Correlates of Eating Disorders in Adolescents Stages of an Eating Disorder
·
Eating disorders, although they don’t
always feel like it, happen in stages. These stages look a little different
within each individual’s recovery process, but the basic outline remains the
same. It's important to remember that people may go back and forth between the
different stages, particularly those who have experienced relapse.
· Why is being aware of the stages of change helpful? · It is beneficial to understand the stages of change as it helps people understand where they or others may be in their road to recovery. It shows the journey ahead and gives people “permission” to experience relapse, and move back and forth in their recovery process. It also challenges the idea that an eating disorder is permanent part of the person’s life. · What are the stages of change? · Pre-contemplation · In this stage an individual is unable to acknowledge problematic behaviour and has no intention to change. A person with an eating disorder may deny there is a problem. Friends and family may pick up on some of the warning signs and symptoms (e.g. restrictive eating, overeating, overexercising, purging or a pre-occupation with weight and appearance). During this stage, the individual may exhibit hostility, anger or frustration if approached by someone who is concerned. · Contemplation · In this stage, an individual is aware of the problem and beginning to think about getting help. They may be considering some of the benefits of changing their behaviours but be hesitant about the idea of doing so. Consequently, there is no concrete commitment to change during this stage (e.g. “Yes my weight is a concern for me, but I’m not willing or able to begin gaining weight within the next month”). The eating disorder often plays an important role as a coping mechanism for the individual when dealing with the stress and challenges in their life. · Preparation · In this stage, an individual has intention to change and is planning how this might happen. They may begin to engage in ‘change talk’, for example - “my weight concerns me; I’m clear that the benefits of change outweigh the drawbacks, and I’m planning to start within the next month”. · Action · In this stage there is a change in the behaviour, environment and thoughts of an individual. This stage requires commitment to change and to continue to practice new behaviours (e.g. sticking to meal plan, restricting amount of exercise). The person will be trying new is willing to face fears in order for the change to occur. · Maintenance · In this stage, there is a focus on relapse prevention and building on gains and positives from change (e.g. improved health and long-term happiness). In this stage, more stable behavioural changes are observed. The person is proactively practicing new behaviours and new ways of thinking as well as consistently using both healthy self-care and coping skills. This requires continued commitment and support (e.g. from family, friends and loved ones, support groups, health professionals such as a GP or psychologist) to sustain the new behaviours and support the person as they navigate their pathway to ongoing recovery. · Relapse · Relapse can also be considered a stage of change, where there is a return to some old patterns of thought or behaviours. Relapse can be an important stage during recovery to see what works well for the individual and what triggers arise. Although relapse can be stressful, it is very common and often helpful to gain insight into patterns of the eating disorder for future management. More information about relapse What can people with an eating disorder do to help themselves throughout the stages? It can be useful for a person recovering from an eating disorder to remind themselves that there is hope and that recovery is possible for everyone. It is important to realise everybody is different and everybody’s experience with an eating disorder is as individual as they are.
Risk
Factors
Eating disorders do not have a single, identifiable cause. There are psychological, biological and social risk factors which may increase the likelihood of an eating disorder developing, as well as behaviours and traits which can be changed (such as dieting, poor self-esteem, perfectionism). Eating disorders can occur across all ages, socio-economic groups and genders. Some potential risk factors for the development of an eating disorder include: Psychological factors
Social factors
Biological factors
External factors
|