Who/ Where
are we?
“To call anorexia nervosa an eating disorder is like
calling cancer a cough.”
|
Info about eating disorders “It’s about feelings, not food.” “An eating disorder is the physical expression of emotional distress.” “If you have the determination and willpower to develop an eating disorder, you have those tools to help you fight your illness.” “Sometimes when the illness is strong, I’m not myself I’m some-one else.” “Rather than blaming anyone, better to spend the energy in working out how to move on.” “Fighting an eating disorder takes loads of guts.” “Don’t curse the darkness - light a candle.”
Note that if you think you may have an eating disorder, or that a friend or loved one has an eating disorder, try to talk to a GP – or perhaps a teacher or friend – as soon as possible. Other illnesses can cause weight loss too - it's important that the diagnosis is made by a doctor. If you are a carer or friend and want to know how you might be able to help, please visit our How can family & friends help section. Anorexia nervosa Various descriptions have been offered over many years - ‘the slimmer’s disease’, ‘loss of appetite of nervous origin’, or ‘a girls’ illness’. Anorexia has been described many times since it was first described by a doctor in the late 1600s. Triggered by personal stress and weight loss, which may be caused by a variety of factors, to describe anorexia as any of the above is very misleading. Anorexia affects the whole family, not just the sufferer. About 10% of sufferers are male. Anorexia has both physical and psychological aspects - but some-one suffering from the disorder is trying to conquer appetite rather than having lost it. There are two types of anorexia nervosa
What are the signs and symptoms of anorexia? Active refusal to eat enough to maintain normal weight Appearing to eat normally, then purging by vomiting or use of laxatives Severe weight loss In females, loss of menstruation for at least three months Excessive exercise in an attempt to control weight Restlessness and hyperactivity Avoidance of ‘fattening’ foods Preoccupation with food, own and that of others Meticulous calorie counting Denial of hunger Hiding or discarding of food Wanting to eat alone and unobserved Emotional and irritable behaviour Rigid or obsessive behaviour, frequently attached
to eating Possible personality changes Possibly becoming aggressive and trying to control everything & everyone in their surroundings. Insomnia Dizzy spells, feeling faint Feeling cold, low body temperature due to lack of nutrition Growth of downy hair on body Loss of bone mass, and eventually osteoporosis(thinning bones) Denial of problems caused by eating behaviour is a common factor. “It’s about feelings, not food….” Common feelings in anorexia include low self esteem, love hunger, perfectionism, negative feelings, control/lack of control in life, denial/lack of recognition of problems, distorted view of body image, intense fear of weight gain, intense fear of rejection, wanting independence versus wanting to be cared for/dependence People with anorexia focus on food as an attempt to cope with life and individual personal problems, not in an attempt to starve. Without specialist treatment, anorexia may be life threatening. Longterm effects of anorexia may be alarming and severe both on body and mind but, with specialist treatment leading to the body receiving regular nourishment, these may gradually reduce and reverse. Relapse may be part of the picture in the battle with anorexia, with ‘two steps forward, one back’ a common pattern. Women with anorexia may find it more difficult to conceive, and may develop infertility in the long term. For both men and women, there is a high possibility of developing osteoporosis. On the road to recovery from anorexia, eating and drinking may cause temporary feelings of bloating. Feelings of anxiety regarding weight gain are common, with the prospect of weight gain seeming alarming. Personality changes and mood swings may take some time to settle. Bulimia nervosa Bulimia means ‘ox-like hunger’ or voracious appetite. Although
the habit of bingeing and vomiting has been recorded for thousands
of years, bulimia nervosa was first recognised as a new disorder
and described in 1979. Bulimics may be of normal weight which may fluctuate (controlling their weight by their purging activities) or may be under or overweight. What are the signs and symptoms of bulimia nervosa? People with bulimia usually try to hide their activities as much as possible, although it is difficult to hide them from people they live with. Recurring episodes of uncontrollable eating Repeated attempts to lose weight Vigorous exercise and dieting Sore throat Erosion of tooth enamel due to vomiting Possible laxative abuse Menstrual disturbances Dehydration Poor skin condition Mineral deficiencies, Unpredictable behaviour Underlying issues in bulimia As in anorexia nervosa, “It’s about feelings, not food.” These
are some of the most common feelings - Low self esteem Love hunger Negative feelings Control versus helplessness conflict Ambivalence to food, to relationships and to change/recovery Misuse of sexuality Denial Fear of discovery and rejection Long term physical effects of bulimia Damage to teeth – this may be caused by the effect of digestive acids on teeth because of repeated vomiting, or due to constant sipping of ‘fizzy’ or ‘sports/energy’ as they also contain acids. Excessive use of laxatives may cause bowel problems. Long term emotional problems may include difficulties with relationships, depression and other psychological effects.
Binge Eating Disroder is defined as eating to satisfy emotional hungers of which people may or may not be aware. The compulsive eater may be pounds or stones overweight and obese, but this is not the real issue. More important are the reasons for the compulsion to eat. BED shares some of the characteristics of bulimia with the essential difference that people with BED binge uncontrollably but do not purge. As in bulimia, BED was only recently acknowledged as a separate disorder. The compulsive eater is addicted to food in much the same way that an alcoholic is addicted to alcohol or a workaholic addicted to activities connected to work; the compulsive behaviour gives short-term relief from emotional hunger. As in other eating disorders, unless the underlying issues are recognised and addressed, the person will never be free from this compulsive relationship with food. Signs of binge eating Eating much more rapidly than usual Eating until uncomfortably full Eating large amounts of food when not physically hungry Eating alone because of embarrassment at quantities of food consumed Feeling out of control around food Feeling very self conscious eating in front of others Feeling ashamed, depressed or guilty after bingeing Being unable to purge oneself or compensate for food eaten Compulsive eating is a variation of binge eating, which may happen all the time or may come and go in cycles, with weight/appearance being used a ‘shield’ to avoid social interaction while others may hide behind a happy façade to avoid confronting their problems. Underlying issues in compulsive eating are similar to anorexia and bulimia - Low self esteem Love hunger Negative feelings Sense of loss, loneliness, emptiness Disappointment in relationships Denial Food masking emotional problems Food used as a tranquilliser Fat seen as a means of self protection How long does it take to recover from an eating disorder? Unfortunately recovery from an eating disorder may be a very long haul, needing huge amounts of effort to tackle the physical and psychological effects as well as the underlying issues involved. An average time for recovery is around 5 – 6 years, with many setbacks along the road. Two steps forward, one back is a common pattern. The earlier an eating disorder is recognised and specialist treatment offered, the better the chances of recovery. Without proper specialist treatment, an eating disorder may become chronic and last for many years. It is therefore important to try to find help as soon as possible. |
