Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions characterized by disturbances in eating behaviors and related thoughts and emotions. They affect people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds, and can have serious physical and psychological consequences.

Eating disorders are not choices or lifestyle preferences—they're serious medical conditions that require professional treatment. With proper treatment and support, recovery is possible. Early intervention improves outcomes.

Anorexia Nervosa:

• Severe restriction of food intake
• Intense fear of gaining weight
• Distorted body image
• Extremely low body weight
• Can be life-threatening

Bulimia Nervosa:

• Binge eating episodes
• Followed by purging (vomiting, laxatives, exercise)
• Fear of weight gain
• May maintain normal weight
• Can cause serious health problems

Binge Eating Disorder:

• Recurrent binge eating episodes
• Eating large amounts quickly
• Feeling out of control
• No purging behaviors
• Often leads to weight gain

Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorders (OSFED):

• Don't meet full criteria for above
• Still serious conditions
• Require treatment
• Examples: atypical anorexia, purging disorder

Physical Symptoms:

• Weight changes: Significant loss or gain
• Fatigue: Low energy
• Dizziness: Especially when standing
• Sleep problems: Difficulty sleeping
• Digestive problems: Constipation, stomach pain
• Dental problems: From purging
• Hair loss: Or thinning
• Cold intolerance: Feeling cold
• Irregular periods: In women

Behavioral Symptoms:

• Restrictive eating: Severely limiting food
• Binge eating: Eating large amounts
• Purging: Vomiting, using laxatives
• Excessive exercise: Compulsive exercise
• Food rituals: Unusual eating patterns
• Avoiding meals: Skipping meals
• Hiding food: Or eating in secret

Emotional Symptoms:

• Preoccupation with food: Constant thoughts about food
• Body image concerns: Distorted view of body
• Anxiety: Especially around food
• Depression: Low mood
• Irritability: Mood changes
• Withdrawal: From social activities
• Perfectionism: Especially about body/weight

Call Emergency Services (112 in Sweden) if:

• Thoughts of suicide or self-harm
• Severe physical symptoms
• Signs of medical emergency
• Severe malnutrition
• Cardiac symptoms

Important: Eating disorders usually require professional treatment. Self-care should complement, not replace, professional care.

1. Seek Professional Help:

   • Don't try to handle alone
   • Professional treatment is essential
   • Early treatment is best
   • Recovery is possible

2. Nutritional Support:

   • Work with dietitian
   • Meal planning
   • Nutritional rehabilitation
   • Medical monitoring
   • Don't try to fix alone

3. Support System:

   • Family and friends
   • Support groups
   • Treatment team
   • Don't isolate
   • Accept help

4. Self-Compassion:

   • Don't blame yourself
   • Eating disorders are not your fault
   • Recovery takes time
   • Be patient
   • Celebrate progress

5. Avoid Triggers (with professional guidance):

   • Social media (body image)
   • Diet culture
   • Scales
   • Certain people or situations
   • Work with therapist

• Thoughts of suicide or self-harm
• Severe physical symptoms
• Medical emergency
• Severe malnutrition
• Cardiac symptoms

• Eating disorder symptoms
• Need for treatment
• Physical health concerns
• Questions about eating
• Concerns about weight or body image

• Eating disorder treatment programs
• Multidisciplinary team
• Medical, nutritional, psychological care
• May need intensive treatment
• Don't delay seeking help

Diagnosing eating disorders involves:

1. Medical Evaluation:

   • Physical examination
   • Weight and vital signs
   • Assess for complications
   • Blood tests
   • Other medical tests

2. Psychological Assessment:

   • Detailed history
   • Eating behaviors
   • Body image
   • Mental health
   • Impact on functioning

3. Nutritional Assessment:

   • Dietary intake
   • Nutritional status
   • Weight history
   • Eating patterns

Multidisciplinary Approach:

1. Medical Care:

   • Monitor physical health
   • Address complications
   • Weight restoration (if needed)
   • Medical stabilization
   • Ongoing monitoring

2. Nutritional Therapy:

   • Meal planning
   • Nutritional education
   • Weight restoration
   • Normalize eating
   • Work with dietitian

3. Psychotherapy:

   • Cognitive-behavioral therapy: Change thoughts and behaviors
   • Family-based therapy: For adolescents
   • Other therapies: As appropriate
   • Address underlying issues
   • Regular therapy sessions

4. Medications (if needed):

   • May help with co-occurring conditions
   • Antidepressants (if depression/anxiety)
   • Other medications as appropriate
   • Usually combined with therapy

5. Support Groups:

   • Connect with others
   • Share experiences
   • Reduce isolation
   • Ongoing support

Reduce Risk:

• Promote positive body image
• Avoid dieting
• Challenge unrealistic beauty standards
• Healthy relationship with food
• Early intervention

Early Intervention:

• Recognize warning signs
• Don't ignore symptoms
• Seek help promptly
• Better outcomes with early treatment

In eating disorders:

1. Restriction or Binging: Abnormal eating patterns
2. Physical Effects: Body responds to malnutrition or binging
3. Metabolic Changes: Body tries to adapt
4. Complications Develop: Physical and psychological
5. Cycle Continues: Without treatment

Causes:

• Genetics: Runs in families
• Psychological factors: Perfectionism, low self-esteem
• Social factors: Pressure to be thin, diet culture
• Environmental factors: Trauma, stress
• Complex interaction: Of multiple factors

• Common age of onset
• Family involvement crucial
• Can affect development
• Early treatment important
• May need family-based therapy

• Can develop at any age
• May have been present for years
• Can affect all areas of life
• Treatment still effective
• Recovery is possible

Physical Complications:

• Heart problems
• Bone loss (osteoporosis)
• Digestive problems
• Dental problems (from purging)
• Electrolyte imbalances
• Organ damage
• Can be life-threatening

Psychological Complications:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Substance use
• Self-harm
• Suicide risk
• Social isolation

Many people recover from eating disorders with proper treatment. Recovery is a process that takes time. Some people may have symptoms that come and go, but treatment helps manage them. Full recovery is possible.

No. Eating disorders affect people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds. While they're more common in young women, men, older adults, and people of all genders can develop eating disorders.

Not everyone needs hospitalization. Many people are treated as outpatients. Hospitalization may be needed for medical stabilization, severe cases, or when outpatient treatment isn't sufficient.

It varies. Some people see improvement in months, others take longer. Recovery is a process. Consistency with treatment is important. Don't give up—recovery is possible.

Eating disorders usually require professional treatment. Trying to recover alone is very difficult and can be dangerous. Professional help significantly improves outcomes. You don't have to do it alone.