Eating Disorders : How Can You Tell?

Eating disorders are quite common and often go unnoticed for long periods of time due to the secretive nature of sufferers. This article discusses the 3 most common eating disorders and what the symptoms are.

Anorexia Nervosa
Onset of anorexia is usually, but not always, under the age of 20. Anorexia typically begins with the young girl trying to lose weight. This gradually develops into an obsession with dieting, losing weight and food. It is not a condition involving the loss of appetite, rather a serious perception disorder. It is believed the condition affects approximately one in every hundred girls aged between 16 and 18, with a total of between 60,000 to 200,000 people suffering from the condition. It does not however, affect only girls; there are a large number of men also suffering with the condition.

Anorexia causes people to see themselves in a distorted way. They regard themselves as overweight and needing to lose extreme amounts of weight. It is through this that they become obsessive about food and develop unusual eating rituals. They are often very secretive about food. The condition is often diagnosed along with depression, anxiety disorder, personality disorder, or substance abuse disorder. They may check their weight more than once a day and carry out intense exercise regimes.


Bulimia
Bulimia is closely linked to anorexia, and shares many of its essential features. People with the condition may think about food constantly and experience extremely strong cravings. After a binge they may induce vomiting or use laxatives as a method of avoiding weight gain. Someone suffering from bulimia is usually aware of the abnormal eating pattern and there are feelings of guilt and self-loathing after vomiting. They typically fear that they will not be able to stop eating voluntarily. Frequently vomiting can cause a vast number of side effects, such as tooth decay, mouth ulcers, heart problems and muscular weakness. The use of laxatives on a regular basis can also cause serious damage, and does not actually assist in weight loss. This is because calories are absorbed in the upper bowel, whereas laxatives work mainly by removing the fluid in the lower bowel. Bulimia can be an easier condition for the sufferer to hide compared to anorexia, as people with the condition do not always lose weight.

Binge Eating Disorder
Binge eating disorder is regarded as the most common eating disorder, affecting around 2% of adults, yet it is less well known than anorexia and bulimia. The disorder is characterised by the person eating large quantities of food, but unlike bulimia they do not use laxatives or vomit afterwards. It is due to this that they are likely to gain weight. People with the disorder feel they are unable to control what they are doing.

Binge eating disorder has a number of characteristics, which include the sufferer eating secretly where there is no-one else around, eating quicker than usual, and eating even when they are full. They may also eat foods which are regarded as ‘naughty’ but they do not feel as though they can control their habit. People with binge eating disorder tend to be overweight due to the nature of the disorder, although people of a normal healthy weight can also be affected. Although binge eating is usually followed by feelings of guilt and shame, sufferers often turn to food as a source of comfort when they are feeling sad or simply bored. Due to the feelings of guilt and shame, many sufferers to not seek professional help as it would involve having to admit to someone that they have a problem.

Anorexia Symptoms include:
• Weight loss of at least 15-25% of original body weight
• Extreme fear of becoming fat
• Ritualised eating habits
• Self-induced vomiting, laxative abuse or abuse of slimming tablets, intense and strict exercise regimes
• Hoarding or hiding food
• Obsession with food preparation, recipe books and other people’s eating habits
• Denial of the severity of the illness and refusal to participate in therapy / rehabilitation
• Hypothermia (drop in body temperature)
• Lanugo (neonatal-like body and facial hair)
• Menorrhea (menstruation stops)



Bulimia Symptoms include:
• Intense exercise regimen
• Blistering on the knuckles from forced vomiting
• Frequent pain in the stomach
• Frequently feeling tired and weak
• Dramatic increase in food intake without a change in weight
• Isolation from family and friends
• Frequently going to the bathroom immediately after a meal
• Dehydration
• Frail hair or nails
• Dry skin
• Menstrual cycle ending
• Depression

Binge Eating Disorder Symptoms include:
• Eating large quantities of food frequently
• Low self-esteem / low confidence
• Frequent changes in weight
• Feeling out of control
• Eating even when full
• Eating for comfort when sad, bored or lonely
• Feeling anxious or depressed
• Obsessed with food and body
• Eating quickly
• Unable to stop binging even when aware of the emotional distress it will cause
• Feeling guilty after a binge
• Secretly eating
• Binging twice a week, or more over a period of months

This article has been put together by the distance learning organisation Start Learning who are experts in home study. If you want to find out more about Treatment of Eating Disorders or many other distance learning courses please browse their website: Start Learning

A good way to find out more about Treatment of Eating Disorders is to sign up for a distance learning course on the subject. By studying in your free time and pace, you can gain the necessary knowledge while tailoring it to suit your schedule.

Kerrana McAvoy
Academic Director – Start Learning
Start Learning Blog