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Know the Signs of an Eating Disorder

Every year in the United States, millions of people are affected by eating disorders. In fact, as many as 20 million women and 10 million men suffer from various forms of this serious and potentially life-threatening disease, according to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA). With this many people affected, it is important to be able to identify signs and symptoms in others. 

When your life’s worth and contribution to others depends on the shape, size and image of your exterior shell, it can wreak tremendous damage on anyone’s ability to thrive and walk through life healthy. 

The three most common eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder. With this many people affected, it is important to be able to identify signs and symptoms in others. People suffering from anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder may display these symptoms:

Anorexia nervosa

  • Abnormally low body weight
  • Irrational fear of gaining weight
  • Distorted perception of weight or shape
  • Extreme calorie limitations
  • Excessive exercise
  • Laxative use
  • omiting after eating

Bulimia nervosa

  • Episodes of bingeing (eating excessive amounts) and purging (induced vomiting)
  • Restricted eating throughout the day
  • Excessive exercise
  • Laxative use
  • Extremely critical of oneself

Binge-eating disorder

  • Regularly eat quickly or excessively
  • Eating until uncomfortably full
  • Often feel guilt or embarrassment
  • Eating alone to hide bingeing

It is important to understand that eating disorders are not just about losing weight or body image — there are also biological and psychological causes. For instance, there are signs that eating disorders often run in families, meaning some people may have a genetic predisposition to the condition. Eating disorders can increase an individual’s risk for a host of conditions, from cancer to kidney disease and heart disease, and research has indicated that there are often other comorbidities, such as depression, that accompany eating disorders.

To help those suffering from this disease, be sure to offer continued love and support. Remember, it is not your lens, but theirs that we need to try and understand. Let them know that you care about what they are going through and offer to assist them in finding help. An effective treatment plan for eating disorders focuses on the individual’s behavioral wellbeing — including addressing the factors that led to the disorder — and his or her overall wellbeing, with a medically supervised physical recovery that includes nutrition education and physician management.

Willowbrooke at Tanner offers a 24-hour help line at 770-812-9551. Clinicians at Willowbrooke at Tanner offer free and confidential mental health assessments, and can direct those needing help to resources both within and beyond Tanner in order to determine the best order of action to cope with and treat eating disorders. Learn more about the resources available at WillowbrookeAtTanner.org

 

Behavioral Health Care




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