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Eating Disorders
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Eating Disorders are potentially life-threatening illnesses which are simultaneously psychological and physical in nature. They are characterized by a range of abnormal and harmful eating behaviors which are accompanied and motivated by unhealthy beliefs, perceptions and expectations concerning eating, weight, and body shape.[4] Eating disorders are chronic without treatment. Hospitalization is often required during the first phase of AN treatment to restore the patient to healthy weight and monitor medical health.[5] Eating disorders are efforts to take control in a chaotic life – desperate attempts to deal with difficult situations and negative feelings. Eating disorders may start as a way to take control or avoid certain emotions, and then develop into a habit that is incredibly difficult to overcome (but not impossible, so don’t lose heart!).[6]
Eating disorders are serious illnesses that arise from a complex combination of psychological, social, and biological factors and have potentially devastating complications. However, there are many treatment resources that can help people with eating disorders to recover (see below), including those at UHS.[7] Eating disorders are curable, in as many as 90% of cases where detected early and treated effectively. The eating disordered recovered will have learned more than how to eat healthfully; through treatment and recovery, they will have learned what it takes to face adversity and the self as effective problem solvers. Eating disorders are serious psychiatric conditions, which if left untreated can result in the deterioration of one's life and even death . Eating disorders are associated with devastating medical and psychologic consequences, including death, osteoporosis, growth delay, and developmental delay. Prompt diagnosis is linked to better outcomes.[10] Eating disorders are illnesses with a biological basis modified and influenced by emotional and cultural factors. The stigma associated with eating disorders has long kept individuals suffering in silence, inhibited funding for crucial research and created barriers to treatment.[11]
Eating disorders are most successfully treated when diagnosed early. Unfortunately, even when family members confront the ill person about his or her behavior, or physicians make a diagnosis, individuals with eating disorders may deny that they have a problem.[12] Eating disorders are thought to be caused by a multitude of factors, such as family problems, history of abuse, distorted body image, perfectionist tendencies, and biochemical imbalances, to name a few. The stress of college life, as well as the isolation some students feel after leaving home, also contributes to the problem.[13] Eating disorders are the proverbial elephant in the room that most members of the fat acceptance community pretend not to see. Some of the hushed voices surrounding the issue may be due to the relative youth of the movement, which is still finding its footing and setting priorities.[14] Eating disorders are an increasing public health problem among young women [1 ]: they may give rise to serious physical problems such as hypothermia, hypotension, electrolyte imbalance, endocrine disorders and kidney failure. Women with eating disorders are also at risk of long-term psychological and social problems, including depression, anxiety, substance abuse and suicide. Eating disorders are becoming more and more popular as well as more and more dangerous. Many people all over the world are being pressured into looking their best and according to the media and magazines.[16] Eating disorders are generally categorized as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorders, or not otherwise specified (NOS). [17] Eating disorders are serious illnesses with a biological basis modified and influenced by emotional and cultural factors. Nearly 10 million females and 1 million males are fighting a life-and-death battle with an eating disorder such as bulimia or anorexia, which has the highest mortality rate of any mental illness.[18] Eating Disorders are often devastating to patients and their families, causing patients developmental and functional impairment. For more information on Eating Disorders, or for information on how to make an appointment for yourself or someone you know, go to our clinic website .[19]
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