Eating Disorder Interventions
Eating Disorders; Signs and Symptoms
It’s not surprising that eating disorders are so prevalent today, affecting all age groups and they’re caused by a variety of factors, including everyday stresses that range from financial issues, health issues to self-esteem problems, due in part to the fact that so much value is put into looking runway model hin or looking like those beefed up guys at the gym. Today we’re all left with the feeling that in order to be successful and happy, you need to have lots of hair and a thin perfectly sculpted body. Sadly a lot of people end up starving themselves, in some cases to death, in an effort to be fashion industry thin and end up with eating disorders.
If you’re worried that someone in your life may be at risk of an eating disorder, there are some signs and symptoms you can look for. Besides excessive negative self-talk, depression and never feeling thin enough, you’ll find signs to look for below, along with a description of the most prevalent eating disorders.
Anorexia Nervosa
This eating disorder is characterized by excessive exercise and dieting in order to lose weight, in many cases leading to starvation. People who suffer from anorexia never think they’re thin enough and they continue to see themselves (usually women) as fat even with severe weight loss. Some anorexics also binge and then purge by taking laxatives or vomiting. Because individuals with anorexia nervosa are so good at concealing it, it can become critical before anybody around them notices that something is wrong.
Binge Eating
Binge eating is recognized by frequent episodes of excessive overeating, followed by a feeling of loss of control with regards to food. Instead of merely eating too much once in a while, people (both men and women) with a binge eating disorder frequently binge on large quantities of food. Similar to people with bulimia, those with a binge eating disorder often feel out of control during a binging episode, followed by feeling ashamed of themselves and the fact that they feel out of control when it comes to eating. This leads to a vicious cycle because the guiltier and more out of control they feel, the more they binge eat. Because binge eaters don’t fast, purge or exercise after they binge, they usually end up overweight and even obese. Additional signs of a binge eating disorder include hoarding (and hiding) food and constantly dieting without losing weight.
Bulimia Nervosa
People with the bulimia nervosa disorder have periods where they eat large amounts of food (called binging) followed by purging (vomiting or using laxatives), fasting, or excessively exercising to compensate for the overeating. Unlike anorexia, individuals with bulimia are typically a normal weight, but they have a distorted body image and the same extreme fear of gaining weight.
If left untreated, all eating disorders can have serious health consequences that include abnormal heart rhythms, kidney problems, acid reflux disease, fatigue, fainting episodes, overall weakness, dry hair and skin and more. The first step towards getting help for an eating disorder is to recognize the signs and symptoms. With the right treatment and support, most people can learn to have a healthy relationship with food and get back to living the happy and healthy life they deserve.
If you suspect someone is in denial about their eating disorder and refusing to seek medical treatment, they may be in need of an eating disorder intervention. A professional interventionist can help the family overcome the difficulty in conveying to the individual to seek treatment immediately. To contact of our professional interventionist call 1-866-631-0026.