; What exactly is an eating disorder? Simply put, these are very serious conditions where the sufferer is so preoccupied with food and weight that it takes over their lives. Someone with such a disorder is usually aware of what they are doing but feels powerless to stop themselves. The 3 most common types of eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder. Eating disorders can have serious ramifications both physically and emotionally and for many, can potentially be deadly. Women tend to be at the highest risk but anyone can potentially develop these disorders. Statistics show that binge-eating seems to affect both men and women equally. There are many approaches to treating eating disorders, including therapy, nutritional education, psychotherapy, family counseling, medications and sometimes, hospitalization. Symptoms Eating disorders symptoms vary with the particular type of eating disorder. Anorexia Nervosa When you have anorexia nervosa, you’re obsessed with food and being thin, sometimes to the point of deadly self-starvation. Anorexia signs and symptoms may include: Refusal to eat and denial of hunger An intense fear of gaining weight A negative or distorted self-image Excessive exercise Irritability Fear of eating in public Preoccupation with food Social withdrawal Thin appearance Trouble sleeping Menstrual irregularities or loss of menstruation (amenorrhea) Constipation Abdominal pain Irregular heart rhythms Dehydration Bulimia Nervosa Those who suffer with bulimia feel trapped by the cycle of binging and purging. This is characterized typically by eating an excessive amount of food in a short time and then ridding […]
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