Eating Disorders Eating Disorders Do eating disorders affects

Eating Disorders

Eating Disorders • Do eating disorders affects only females?

Eating Disorders • NO • Eating disorders affect more females than males, but males do develop eating disorders. • Because of this myth males are even less likely to seek treatment.

What is an eating disorder • It is a mental disorder that reveals itself through abnormal behaviors related to food.

Anorexia Nervosa • Anorexic’s do not eat enough food to maintain a healthy body weight. • Extreme weight loss • Slowed heart rate and breathing, dry skin, lower body temperature, growth of fine body hair and loss of premenstrual cycle

Health Risks- Anorexia • They can starve to death • A lack of essential minerals can cause the heart to stop suddenly, leading to death

Possible Causes. Anorexia • The lack of a chemical substance that regulates mood • Low self-esteem • A strong desire to please others

Treatment- Anorexia • Hospital (inpatient) • Doctor’s, nurse’s and dietitian’s work together to stop the weight loss • Mental health professionals work with the family members to address the underlying emotional problems

Bulimia Nervosa • Someone who goes on uncontrolled eating binges followed by purging, or removing the food from their bodies • A bulimic may purge by vomiting or using laxatives • May consume thousands of calories in one sitting

Health Risks- Bulimia • Most bulimic’s maintain a normal weight • Binging and purging can cause the body to bloat up and become puffy • Dehydration, kidney damage and a lack of necessary vitamins and minerals • Stomach acid in vomit irritates the throat and erodes the enamel on the teeth

Possible Causes- Bulimia • The lack of a chemical substance that regulates mood • Low self-esteem • A strong desire to please others • Bulimia may begin in connection with a diet, but the person soon becomes unable to stop the cycle of binging and purging

Treatment- Bulimia • In and outpatient treatment facilities • Doctor’s, nurse’s and dietitian’s work together to stop the cycle of binging and purging • Mental health professionals work with the family members to address the underlying emotional problems

Binge Eating Disorder • People with a binge eating disorder regularly have an uncontrollable urge to eat large amounts of food • They cannot stop eating even when they are full

Binge Eating- Health Risks • Excess weight gain and unhealthy dieting • Other related illnesses: diabetes and high blood pressure

Possible Causes- Binge Eating • People use food to avoid dealing with emotions, such as anger, or with stressful situations • The binge eating may lead to other emotions, such as guilt or depression

Treatment- Binge Eating • They need to eat more slowly and deliberately • Mental health professionals work with the family members to address the underlying emotional problems