The simple answer: An eating disorder is present when a person: is constantly thinking about eating or not eating feels out of control around food uses food to meet needs other than hunger becomes obsessed about food, weight and body shape A person can be any size and have an eating disorder. And in more […]
The DSMIV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, volume 4) provides guidelines and criteria for mental disorders. In terms of eating disorders the DSM IV provides diagnostic criteria for anorexia, bulimia and eating disorders NOS (not otherwise specified). It is important to remember that someone can still have an eating disorder or body image issues and not
It certainly wasn’t about weight. It was about restriction, guilt, and fear. And not having the support I needed to find my way back to my dreams.” There is no simple explanation. Some of the influencing factors may be social pressure to be thin, dieting, family patterns, personal stresses and difficulties, unmet emotional needs, values
Anybody can develop an eating disorder, although there are some groups of people who have a higher risk. Females Over 90% of people who are identified as having an eating disorder are female, however they are becoming increasingly more common in the male population. Teenagers Anorexia and Bulimia commonly begin in the teens, although cases have
An eating disorder is more than just losing or gaining weight; it’s about the thoughts and feelings that are going on inside the person’s head. Below are some lists of the different signs that may indicate a person has an eating disorder. Please note that not everyone will display all the signs. No one is
Compulsive eating is eating large quantities of food when a person is not hungry. This may occur in a short period of time (a binge) or it may be continuous snacking throughout the day. People of any size may eat compulsively. Compulsive eating is often accompanied by a feeling of being out of control, not
A compulsive eater is a person who eats more than they need or want to, ie. compulsively, not in response to signs from their stomach inciting hunger, but rather for other reasons. Stomach hunger is an experience they do not allow themselves to feel very often. They usually eat before this experience ever comes about.
Compulsive eating is eating large quantities of food when a person is not hungry. This may occur in a short period of time (a binge) or it may be continuous snacking throughout the day. People of any size may eat compulsively. Compulsive eating is often accompanied by a feeling of being out of control, not
Cognitive Consequences Focus on food and eating Loss of interest in other activities Distorted beliefs about food, eating, body shape and size – Denial– Minimisation– Blaming – Diversion– Intellectualisation– Dichotomous thinking– Personalization– Overgeneralisation– Magical thinking Passing on unrealistic/distorted attitudes and beliefs about food to children Poor concentration Memory problems Difficulty in comprehending Difficulty making decisions Emotional Consequences
A Summary of the Physical Problems Related to Binge Eating, Vomiting and Purgative Abuse Electrolyte Disturbances Low levels of potassium, chloride and sodium (these are salts that are in the body in large quantities and are important for overall functioning of most organs including the heart, brain, kidneys etc. Purging through vomiting, laxative use or