Eating Disorders

Eating Disorders• Do eating disorders affects only

females?

Eating Disorders• NO• Eating disorders affect more females

than males, but males do develop eating disorders.

• Because of this myth males are even less likely to seek treatment.

What is an eating disorder

• It is a mental disorder that reveals itself through abnormal behaviors related to food.

Anorexia Nervosa• Anorexic’s do not eat enough food to

maintain a healthy body weight.• Extreme weight loss• Slowed heart rate and breathing, dry

skin, lower body temperature, growth of fine body hair and loss of premenstrual cycle

Health Risks- Anorexia

• They can starve to death• A lack of essential minerals can cause

the heart to stop suddenly, leading to death

Possible Causes- Anorexia

• The lack of a chemical substance that regulates mood

• Low self-esteem• A strong desire to please others

Treatment- Anorexia• Hospital (inpatient)• Doctor’s, nurse’s and dietitian’s work

together to stop the weight loss• Mental health professionals work with

the family members to address the underlying emotional problems

Bulimia Nervosa• Someone who goes on uncontrolled

eating binges followed by purging, or removing the food from their bodies

• A bulimic may purge by vomiting or using laxatives

• May consume thousands of calories in one sitting

Health Risks- Bulimia• Most bulimic’s maintain a normal weight • Binging and purging can cause the body

to bloat up and become puffy• Dehydration, kidney damage and a lack of

necessary vitamins and minerals• Stomach acid in vomit irritates the throat

and erodes the enamel on the teeth

Possible Causes- Bulimia

• The lack of a chemical substance that regulates mood

• Low self-esteem• A strong desire to please others• Bulimia may begin in connection with a

diet, but the person soon becomes unable to stop the cycle of binging and purging

Treatment- Bulimia• In and outpatient treatment facilities• Doctor’s, nurse’s and dietitian’s work

together to stop the cycle of binging and purging

• Mental health professionals work with the family members to address the underlying emotional problems

Binge Eating Disorder

• People with a binge eating disorder regularly have an uncontrollable urge to eat large amounts of food

• They cannot stop eating even when they are full

Binge Eating- Health Risks

• Excess weight gain and unhealthy dieting

• Other related illnesses: diabetes and high blood pressure

Possible Causes- Binge Eating

• People use food to avoid dealing with emotions, such as anger, or with stressful situations

• The binge eating may lead to other emotions, such as guilt or depression

Treatment- Binge Eating

• They need to eat more slowly and deliberately

• Mental health professionals work with the family members to address the underlying emotional problems