What are
Eating Disorders?
Eating disorders are mental and physical illnesses that are characterized by drastic changes in eating behavior. While there are common myths that eating disorders are lifestyles for weight loss and that they only exist among young women, that is completely false. Just in America, at least 30 million people suffer from an eating disorder. Eating disorders can be caused by biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors and can be developed among anyone at any time in their life. People with eating disorders may also have co-occurring mental illnesses. Some common eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating.
General Symptoms of Eating
Disorders:
Physical Symptoms:
- Noticeable fluctuations in weight
- Stomach cramps, other non-specific gastrointestinal complaints
- Menstrual irregularities
- Difficulties concentrating
- Abnormal laboratory findings
- Fainting/syncope and dizziness
- Feeling cold all the time
- Sleep problems
- Cuts and calluses across the top of finger joints
- Dental problems
- Yellow skin, fine hair on body, dry skin and hair, and brittle nails
- Swelling around area of salivary glands
- Muscle weakness
- Poor wound healing and impaired immune functioning
Emotional/Behavorial Symptoms:
- Weight loss, dieting, and control of food are primary concerns
- Refusal to eat certain foods/food categories
- Appears uncomfortable eating around others
- Food rituals (e.g. eats only a particular food or food group [e.g. condiments], excessive chewing, doesn’t allow foods to touch)
- Skipping meals or taking small portions of food at regular meals
- Withdrawal from usual friends and activities
- Extreme concern with body size and shape
- Frequent checking in the mirror for perceived flaws in appearance
- Extreme mood swings
"do not compare your insides
with someone else's outsides."