In an era where outward appearance seems to play the most important role and we are bombarded daily with diets that we must follow to achieve the coveted body of our dreams, it is not a coincidence that eating disorders are increasing daily.
Barbie, the doll with idealized proportions, was found to be that if she were a real woman, she wouldn’t be able to stand upright, and her neck wouldn’t be able to support her head. Of course, the standards that are portrayed are not the sole cause of eating disorders, but they certainly play a very important role.
Eating disorders are one of the most serious psychological disorders, with higher prevalence rates in adolescent and young adult women aged 15-25.
What are eating disorders?
An eating disorder is a consistently disturbed eating behavior that negatively affects health or the normal functioning of the body, or both.
Characteristics of eating disorders are the dangerous attempts to control weight, which lead to physical and psychological weakening of the individual, and in some cases, even death.
Individuals develop eating disorders to cope with their problems and difficulties.
It is a way to “freeze” time and temporarily distance oneself from things that hurt them and they cannot face. The relationship with food and the consequences on the body and appearance are the most noticeable, what we can recognize first. However, the causes are much deeper, which is why the treatment of eating disorders requires time, patience, and effort.
Recognizing Eating Disorders
There are two most common forms of eating disorders:
1. Psychogenic anorexia
2. Psychogenic bulimia
These can occur separately, but in some cases, individuals may transition from one disorder to the other at different stages of their lives.
Psychogenic anorexia is a condition in which an individual imposes starvation on themselves, refuses to maintain normal body weight, constantly lives in fear of gaining weight, and has a distorted body image. In most cases, women also exhibit menstrual irregularities, primarily amenorrhea. As an individual loses weight, all physiological functions of the body and the brain are affected, leading to an inability to make rational decisions and think clearly.
With psychogenic bulimia, an individual seeks ways to fill emotional gaps and the need to feel loved through eating. However, immediately after a binge-eating episode, which can last for several minutes and during which the individual may consume incredibly large amounts of food, they feel guilt and seek ways to get rid of the food they consumed. They may induce vomiting, take laxatives, or engage in hours of compulsive exercise to lose whatever they consumed.
Factors that contribute to the development of eating disorders include:
- Western standards that idealize thinness
- Dysfunctional family relationships
- Adverse living conditions
- Pressure for weight loss from the environment
- Negative comments about appearance
- Substance use within the family environment
- Abuse
- Low self-esteem
- Perfectionism
- Need for control
- Occupation type
How can you recognize them in a friend/family member?
Living with eating disorders is not easy at all. Individuals describe their lives as empty, devoid, and unsuccessful while experiencing feelings of unhappiness and depression.
The family environment may be able to identify signs if they pay attention to changes in the individual, especially when the disorder first appears. Quick recognition of the problem is often crucial.
People with eating disorders exhibit changes in behavioral, psychological, and physical levels, and there are certain signs that if recognized, can help the affected individual.
Both eating disorders have the following common signs:
- Excessive focus on body image
- Frequent weighing
- Perfectionism
- Secrecy (especially regarding food)
- Stomach pains and gastrointestinal dysfunction
- Bloating in the stomach, face, and neck
- Dry skin
- Intense fear of gaining weight
- Denial of the problem
- Mood swings
- Changes in personality
- Obsession with food
- Systematically reading food labels
- Distorted perception of body shape and weight
Specific signs for each disorder:
In psychogenic anorexia:
Ritualistic behavior towards food, e.g. cutting food into very small pieces
- Hiding food in different parts of the house
- Hyperactivity
- Compliance with rules
- Choosing to wear loose clothing
- Sudden significant weight loss
- Constant feeling of coldness
- Decreased libido
- Amenorrhea
In psychogenic bulimia:
Note: In most cases, the environment takes longer to recognize psychogenic bulimia because, unlike psychogenic anorexia, there is no abrupt change in body weight. Individuals with bulimia usually have normal or slightly increased weight. Also, individuals with bulimia are less likely to seek help from specialists, probably due to the shame of not being able to control their food intake. However, some signs to recognize them include:
- Binge-eating episodes followed by guilt and regret
- Frequent trips to the bathroom after eating
- The disappearance of food from the house
- Purchase of large quantities of food without explanation
- Frequent consumption of laxatives or diuretics
- Excessive focus on body weight and shape
- Frequent changes in diet
- Compulsive exercise after eating
- Emotional eating episodes
- Low self-esteem and negative self-image
The earlier the individual seeks help and receives treatment from a team of specialists (psychiatrists, psychologists, psychotherapists, pathologists, etc.), the more likely they are to overcome the disorder.
Unfortunately, some individuals never seek help and live their entire lives unhappily, being trapped by eating disorders.
In even worse cases, individuals are led to death as their body weakens and cannot cope.
The mortality rates specifically for psycho-genic anorexia range from 4% to 10%.
Medical Complications:
Eating disorders are dangerous for the body. Don’t ignore them!
In psycho-genic anorexia, there are dermatological, gastrointestinal, endocrine, hematological, and cardiovascular disorders. The latter is responsible for 50% of deaths due to the disease. The refeeding phase is a dangerous period for the individual, during which the intake of carbohydrates and fluids can lead to retention and cardiac failure. Amenorrhea recedes after weight is restored to normal levels, while osteoporosis is one of the most serious conditions associated with the disease.
In psycho-genic bulimia, compensatory behaviors (vomiting, diuretics, laxatives, etc.) create many medical complications, including electrolyte imbalances, endocrine disorders, oral, gastrointestinal issues such as recurrence, esophageal rupture, constipation, and diarrhea, as well as cardiovascular problems.
What Can You Do to Help?
The individual suffering is trapped, declaring that they don’t want help, getting angry with anyone who suggests they need help, and categorically refusing to see a specialist.
If you are by their side, you may also suffer seeing your loved one sinking and refusing help. Talk to them, and explain why you’re concerned, without a critical tone, without negative references to their appearance, and without making them feel guilty because that can close them off even more. Clearly show them that you will be there for them and support them. You will need to persist and say it again and again for them to accept seeing a specialist. Eating disorders are complex and have a psychological background, so it will take time for the individual to overcome the disorder emotionally, even if they show physical improvement.
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