Eating Disorders: Anorexia and Bulimia

Eating Disorders

Anorexia

• Characterized by a severe restriction of food intake, leading to significantly low body weight
• Fear of gaining weight and distorted body image
• May exhibit extreme exercise habits, laxative use, and hiding food
• Physical symptoms:
  • Weight loss
  • Fatigue
  • Hair loss
  • Cold intolerance
  • Osteoporosis
• Psychological symptoms:
  • Perfectionism
  • Low self-esteem
  • Depression
  • Anxiety

Bulimia

• Characterized by cycles of bingeing and purging
• Eating large amounts of food in a short period, followed by forced vomiting, laxatives, or diuretics
• May exhibit secretive eating habits, hiding food, and frequent weighing
• Physical symptoms:
  • Tooth decay
  • Gastrointestinal problems
  • Electrolyte imbalance
  • Dehydration
• Psychological symptoms:
  • Shame and guilt
  • Low self-esteem
  • Depression
  • Anxiety

Binge Eating

• Characterized by recurring episodes of binge eating, without purging
• Eating large amounts of food in a short period, often accompanied by feelings of guilt and shame
• May exhibit weight gain and obesity
• Physical symptoms:
  • Weight-related health problems (e.g., diabetes, high blood pressure)
  • Gastrointestinal problems
  • Sleep disturbances
• Psychological symptoms:
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Low self-esteem
  • Emotional dysregulation

Body Image

• Refers to an individual's perceived and subjective experience of their own body
• Influenced by sociocultural, environmental, and individual factors
• Negative body image can contribute to the development of eating disorders
• Characteristics of negative body image:
  • Distorted self-perception
  • Unrealistic beauty standards
  • Focus on weight and appearance
  • Self-criticism and shame
• Importance of promoting positive body image:
  • Fostering self-acceptance and self-esteem
  • Encouraging diverse and realistic beauty standards
  • Reducing stigma and promoting inclusivity

Eating Disorders

Anorexia

• Restricts food intake, leading to significantly low body weight due to fear of gaining weight and distorted body image
• May exhibit extreme exercise habits, laxative use, and hiding food
• Physical symptoms include:
  • Weight loss
  • Fatigue
  • Hair loss
  • Cold intolerance
  • Osteoporosis
• Psychological symptoms include:
  • Perfectionism
  • Low self-esteem
  • Depression
  • Anxiety

Bulimia

• Characterized by cycles of bingeing and purging to cope with emotional distress
• Eating large amounts of food in a short period, followed by forced vomiting, laxatives, or diuretics
• May exhibit secretive eating habits, hiding food, and frequent weighing
• Physical symptoms include:
  • Tooth decay
  • Gastrointestinal problems
  • Electrolyte imbalance
  • Dehydration
• Psychological symptoms include:
  • Shame and guilt
  • Low self-esteem
  • Depression
  • Anxiety

Binge Eating

• Recurring episodes of binge eating, without purging, accompanied by feelings of guilt and shame
• Eating large amounts of food in a short period, often leading to weight gain and obesity
• Physical symptoms include:
  • Weight-related health problems (e.g., diabetes, high blood pressure)
  • Gastrointestinal problems
  • Sleep disturbances
• Psychological symptoms include:
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Low self-esteem
  • Emotional dysregulation

Body Image

• Refers to an individual's perceived and subjective experience of their own body
• Influenced by sociocultural, environmental, and individual factors
• Negative body image can contribute to the development of eating disorders
• Characteristics of negative body image include:
  • Distorted self-perception
  • Unrealistic beauty standards
  • Focus on weight and appearance
  • Self-criticism and shame
• Promoting positive body image is crucial for:
  • Fostering self-acceptance and self-esteem
  • Encouraging diverse and realistic beauty standards
  • Reducing stigma and promoting inclusivity

Definition and Types

• Eating disorders are mental health conditions characterized by abnormal eating habits, emotions, and thoughts about food, weight, and body image.
• Main types of eating disorders include:
  • Anorexia Nervosa (AN): restrictive eating, significant weight loss, and fear of gaining weight.
  • Bulimia Nervosa (BN): cycles of bingeing and purging, secretive eating, and feelings of guilt and shame.
  • Binge Eating Disorder (BED): recurring episodes of binge eating, lack of control, and emotional distress.
  • Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorders (OSFED): disorders that do not meet criteria for AN, BN, or BED, but still cause significant distress.
  • Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID): lack of interest in eating, leading to inadequate nutrition and weight loss.

Causes and Risk Factors

• Genetic factors: family history of eating disorders, mental health conditions, and personality traits.
• Environmental factors: societal beauty standards, media influence, trauma, and cultural pressures.
• Psychological factors: low self-esteem, perfectionism, anxiety, and depression.
• Biological factors: hormonal imbalances, brain chemistry, and nutritional deficiencies.

Signs and Symptoms

• Physical symptoms include:
  • Weight changes (gain or loss)
  • Fatigue, weakness, and poor nutrition
  • Hair loss, skin problems, and digestive issues
• Emotional symptoms include:
  • Guilt, shame, and anxiety related to food and eating
  • Emotional eating, secrecy, and isolation
  • Mood swings, irritability, and depression
• Behavioral symptoms include:
  • Restrictive eating, bingeing, and purging
  • Excessive exercise, use of laxatives, and diuretics
  • Food rituals, avoidance of social eating, and meal skipping

Diagnosis and Treatment

• Diagnosis involves criteria-based assessment by a mental health professional, including physical exams, interviews, and observation.
• Treatment options include:
  • Psychotherapy: cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), family-based therapy (FBT), and interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT)
  • Nutrition counseling: personalized meal planning, nutrition education, and meal support
  • Medications: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), antidepressants, and anti-anxiety drugs
  • Hospitalization: in severe cases, for medical stabilization and intensive treatment

Complications and Consequences

• Medical complications include:
  • Malnutrition, dehydration, and electrolyte imbalances
  • Osteoporosis, heart problems, and gastrointestinal issues
  • Infertility, hormonal imbalances, and menstrual irregularities
• Psychological complications include:
  • Depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts
  • Social isolation, relationship problems, and low self-esteem
  • Co-occurring mental health conditions, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and substance abuse