Information taken from www.eatingdisorderinfo.org
Different types of eating disorders:
- Anorexia Nervosa is characterized by self induced starvation and extreme weight loss. Symptoms include: a refusal to maintain body weight at or above a minimally normal weight (85% or less) for height, body type, age, and activity level; an intense fear of being "fat" or gaining weight feeling "fat" or overweight despite dramatic weight loss; a disturbance in the way one's body is perceived (distorted body image); amenorrhea (the loss of three or more consecutive menstrual cycles); and extreme concern / distress with body weight and shape.
- Bulimia Nervosa (binge-purge) is a life threatening eating disorder characterized by bingeing and purging. Symptoms include: repeated episodes of bingeing and purging; eating beyond the point of fullness and feeling out of control during a binge; purging after a binge (by means of self-induced vomiting, excessive use of diuretics and laxatives, fasting, diet pills, and/or excessive exercising); frequent dieting; and extreme concern with body weight and shape. As opposed to anorexia nervosa, a bulimic usually maintains a normal body weight with only a slight fluctuation. The individual will feel completely out of control and abnormal, and conger up feelings of depression, shame and self-deprecation. The bulimic cycle becomes habitual and highly addictive.
- Binge Eating Disorder (bingeing) is still a relatively new diagnosed eating disorder. It is estimated that more individuals battle with this eating disorder than with any of the others. This disorder is similar to bulimia in regards to consuming large quantities of food while feeling a complete lack of control. However, different from bulimia, the individual will not purge the food that was consumed during the binge. When in the binge, he/she no longer feels full and will continue to eat until the point of uncomfortable pain. Following the binge comes feelings of guilt and shame, followed by anxiety and even depression.
- Disordered Eating: Over the past few years, clinicians have realized that many people may have variations of disordered eating, yet, they cannot meet full diagnostic criteria for Anorexia and/or Bulimia. It is actually estimated that most people will never fit full criteria. Individuals that meet several of the necessary criteria, but not all specific to either Anorexia Nervosa or Bulimia Nervosa, will be diagnosed with Eating Disorders Not Otherwise Specified. Failure to meet specific criteria for an eating disorder DOES NOT mean that the individual does not have an important and grave disorder. If you or someone you know is struggling with ED-NOS, it is imperative to get treatment as soon as possible.
The following Statistics were taken from www.eatingdisorderinfo.org and/or www.NationalEatingDisorders.org :
- 1 of 5 women struggle with an eating disorder.
- Eating disorders affect up to 24 million Americans.
- 10% of people with anorexia or bulimia are male.
- At least 50,000 individuals will die as a result of an eating disorder.
- The average American woman is 5'4" tall and weighs 140 pounds. The average American model is 5'11" tall and weighs 117 pounds.
- Most fashion models are thinner than 98% of American women.
What Causes Eating Disorders: (taken from www.eatingdisorderinfo.org )
Family Emotional Problems |
| Such family emotional problems that contribute to the development of an eating disorder are:
|
