Eating Disorders

Eating. Most people don't think twice about it. However, to over 1.6 million people in the UK it is the primary source of a serious mental illness. There are many types of eating disorders, the most common being Anorexia, Bulimia, Binge Eating Disorder and EDNOS(eating disorder not otherwise specified).

Anorexia is a mental disorder characterised by an obsessive desire to loose weight and this is done by refusing to eat, overly restricting calories and excessively exercising. Bulimia is also a mental disorder, where the sufferer will binge on masses amounts of food that is then followed by fasting or self-induced vomiting(purging) due to a distorted body image and a desire to loose weight. Binge Eating Disorder is similar to Bulimia however, people with BED do not purge, causing a lot of them to become overweight. EDNOS is any other eating disorder that does not fit the criteria for Anorexia, Bulimia or Binge eating.

There are many aspects that contribute towards the development of an eating disorder. Researchers have found that genetics play a big part in this development, therefore, eating disorders are likely to run in families. Biochemistry is also a component, it has been found that sufferers may have abnormal levels of certain chemicals that regulate things like appetite and stress. Someones psychological state also contributes; people who have low self-esteem and a perfectionist attitude are more likely to develop an eating disorder. An individuals culture can also play a part in the development of an eating disorder; our society promotes dieting and portrays a message that causes people to fear food or being overweight. Finally, our environment contributes this can include problems with family or relationships and a history of physical or sexual abuse. Individuals who lack control over their own life tend to develop eating disorders as they see it as a way to take control over some aspect of their life.

Unfortunately, eating disorders like anorexia can be fatal. Researchers have found that around 20% of anorexia sufferers die due to malnutrition or even suicide. Some other side affects of anorexia include hair loss, overall weakness and fatigue, loss of periods in girls and a reduction in bone density. This is due to the body being starved of the essential nutrients it needs in order to function normally. Bulimia can also be fatal due the the frequent binge and purge sessions. What this causes is an imbalance of electrolytes that can then lead to heart or other major organ failures. It has been found that 3.9% of bulimia sufferers will die due to this mental disorder. Some other side affects of bulimia are a rupture to the esophagus from frequent vomiting and tooth decay from the stomach acids released while vomiting. Binge Eating Disorder also creates many medical complications. For example, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and heart disease. This mental disorder has similar heath risks to that of clinical obesity. Close to 43% of BED sufferers will obtain treatment and 5.2% of EDNOS suffers including BED suffers die from health complications.

Although in many causes eating disorders can be fatal, there are treatments available. In severe cases sufferers will be hospitalized in order to treat the problems caused by severe malnutrition. Some suffers will also require residential treatment, also known as 'in patient' treatment. This includes staying in a house like setting with other suffers, where eating disorder specialists can monitor their behaviour at all times. These patients will receive a healthy nutrition and exercise plan that they have constructed with a dietitian, and they are required to complete this. As well as a nutrition and exercise plan the patients will receive individual meetings with both a therapist and a psychiatrist and they will also be required to take part in group therapy sessions, helping to remind them that they are not alone. In patient treatment also requires blind weigh ins, what this mean is that the patient will be weighed on a regular basis however, only the staff will know what thee scale says. This may be frustrating to many suffers but it is for good reason, as it takes the focus off of what they way. Getting better is whats important, not what the scale says. Some out patient sufferers will also require therapy and sessions with a psychiatrist alone or even with friends or family. Medication like antidepressants may also be prescribed.

Eating disorders are often seen as a physical disorder when is actual fact it is a mental one, people seem to believe that in order to have an eating disorder you must be extremely thin however, as I hope you have learned by reading my blog post this is not the case. Eating disorders are extremely serious and dangerous, they are not something to want or idolise. However, unfortunately a small majority of people believe that they are. These people call themselves "Pro Ana" and they often refer to Anorexia as a girl named Ana. They believe she is a friend, and therefore their main goal in life is to please her by becoming severely underweight. Social media is where most "Pro Ana" activity takes place, 'thinspirations' are posted by the minute, promoting an unrealistic goal. Overall, I believe that eating disorders do not get taken as seriously as they should, they are extremely dangerous and just as deadly as any physical illness. I hope you've learnt something by reading my blog and if you have any questions please feel free to comment them below.