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According to  B-eat (formerly called the Eating Disorders Association), there are 1.6 million people in the UK currently suffering from diagnosed Eating Disorders’ however  B-eat also asserts that only 90.000 sufferers are currently receiving the treatment that they require.

Eating Disorders are a complicated combination of medical and psychiatric issues that require sensitive treatment from practitioners with specialised training in this area.

Eating Disorders are often progressive and debilitating mental health conditions which call for medical, psychological and nutritional interventions. There are different names for the disorders of this category; however there is more that unites the eating disorder than separates them. An eating disorder practitioner distinguishes between treatment of compulsive eating, bulimia nervosa and treatment for anorexia nervosa.


(The National Centre for Eating Disorders Philosophy):

Eating Disorders are often described as an outward expression of internal mental pain causing emotional distress and confusion. Obsessive thoughts about, and the ongoing behaviour associated with food are maladaptive means of dealing with emotional distress which when in the grips of an eating disorder presents as the only way of dealing with emotions which cannot be expressed in any other way. The emotional distress is often to do with a negative perception of self, low self esteem which can be accompanied with feelings of self loathing and feelings of worthlessness.

An eating disorder involves a distorted pattern of thinking about food and size/weight: there is a preoccupation and obsession with food, as well as an issue of control around food and its consumption.

There are several recognised disorders including anorexia, bulimia, compulsive/binge eating, food deprivation and EDNOS (Eating Disorders Non Specified). Further details of each of these are shown adjacent.

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Anorexia

Anorexic people starve themselves with the aim of losing weight to a point where others would consider them very thin (although the suffer perceives themselves otherwise). The longer the condition continues, the more difficult it is to treat and in severe cases can result in hospitalisation and even prove fatal. Sufferers are typically in their teens or twenties however it can affect us at any age. Currently it affects more women than men however at least 10% are male and sadly it appears to be on the increase amongst the male population. The following are signs and symptoms of anorexia:

  • Behaviour which results in a marked weight loss.
  • Obsessive thoughts regarding food and food avoidance.
  • A morbid fear of gaining weight or becoming fat.
  • Excessive exercising (while starving).
  • Cessation of periods in women.
 

Bulimia

Bulimic people may well maintain their normal weight. The condition is characterised by:

  • Bouts of eating followed by purging.
  • Distorted perception of body, weight and shape.
  • A powerful urge to overeat, leading to binge eating and a persisting and invasive feeling of being out of control.
  • Compensatory behaviour such as self –induced vomiting; misuse of laxatives, diuretics or other medication; fasting; or excessive exercise.
  • A morbid fear of becoming fat.
 

Compulsive/Binge Eating

Binge eating is usually described as “eating more than a normal person would eat in a similar period of time”.

  • Recurrent episodes of binge eating and consequent feeling of being out of control.
  • Marked distress about binge eating and the attempts to control it.
  • Often eating food in a ‘trance like’ manner.
  • In the grips of a binge, food may be eaten more quickly than normal; eat until uncomfortably overfull; large amounts of food may be consumed even when not hungry: often tend to “graze” rather than eat meals
  • Eat alone in secret: feel disgusted and guilty with ones self.
  • Hide food and feel relived if left alone to eat in secret.
 

Food Deprivation

  • Weight loss achieved through extreme dieting, fasting or excessive exercise.
 

EDNOS (Eating Disorders Non Specified)

Other; but related difficulties with food include:

  • Anorexic behaviour though still menstruating.
  • Anorexia behaviour where despite significant weight loss, current weight is still normal.
  • Alternating periods of binge eating and purging with anorexic behaviour.
  • Someone of normal weight inducing vomiting or purging after small amounts of food.
  • Chewing and spitting food rather than swallowing.