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Eating DisordersEating disorders are very common, but often forgotten disorders among teens. There are three main types of eating disorders but several other, less common, forms have also been diagnosed. Without help, eating disorders can lead to life long physical and emotion problems.Often time’s eating disorders are classified as a diet that has gone bad. This is simply not true. In most cases, the person struggling uses food as a control method when other areas of his or her life feel out of control. These disorders are common during the teen years because it’s a time when your body is changing and you experience new stresses in your life. Peer pressure and media messages to be thin are also strong influences at this time in a person’s life. Genetics is also believed to play a part, but there is still more research to be done. It is believed that if someone in your family has struggled with this disorder, you have an increased risk for it. Anorexia Anorexia is classified as self-starvation. A person with anorexia uses food as a way to control something in their life. This form of control eventually turns into an obsession with weight and an extreme drop in weight, leading to many physical and emotional problems. When a person is struggling with anorexia they restrict their calorie intake dramatically. They may also binge and purge as an additional way to control their weight. This disorder can affect anyone. 90-95% of the cases are female, but males are also affected. Some traits that increase a persons risk include: perfectionism, low self-esteem, depression, being the “go to” person when someone has a problem and a strong desire to be thin. It’s important to know that although the person struggling appears very thin and emaciated, they are not able to see it. The image they see in a mirror will be distorted. To get an idea of what this might be like, look at yourself in the side of a car, you will most likely appear shorter and wider than normal, for a person with anorexia, this is what they see every time they look in the mirror. Although this disorder affects everyone differently, there are several common signs and symptoms to look for.
Bulimia Bulimia is another type of eating disorder in which a person feels they need to get rid of their food after they have eaten. Often times the person will consume a large amount of food in a short period of time, but if gone untreated, a person may feel the need to throw-up anything they eat. 90% of people with bulimia are women, but as with all other eating disorders, men also struggle with it. Signs and Symptoms
Physical Signs and Symptoms
Binge Eating Binge eating is a fairly new eating disorder. Binge eating is classified as eating a very large amount of food over a long period of time, usually 2 or more hours. This is different than bulimia because with binge eating the person does not attempt to get rid of the food that was eaten. Usually during a binge the person feels very out of control and disgusted with him or herself but is unable to stop eating. Many of the causes of binge eating are similar to those of other eating disorders. It is believed that ½ of the people diagnosed with this disorder have or have had depression. Many people turn to food for comfort when they are dealing with a stressful situation; poor coping skills are also a common cause of this disorder. Behavioral problems such as alcohol use and impulsive behavior also increase a persons risk for this disorder.
There are several different tests that can be done to determine if someone is struggling with an eating disorder. Because eating disorders effect both physical and mental health, a physical exam will be done along with a psychological evaluation. Laboratory tests, x- rays, and bone scans may also be done. Getting help If you or someone you know may be struggling with an eating disorder, it’s important to seek help immediately. Find someone you trust to discuss your needs or worries with. Talk with your parents, school counselor, coaches and/or teachers for help. You should also schedule an appointment with your doctor. For more information on all types of eating disorders: http://www.something-fishy.org/whatarethey/eating_disorders.php http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eating_disorder |
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