Eating Disorders
What are eating disorders? Information about anorexia, bulimia, or compulsive eating disorder.
Symptoms and Causes
Eating disorders affect both the relationship with food and the perception of body image and weight. These diseases are serious, as they can become chronic and interfere with the functioning of some organs in the human body.
Among the most common disorders, the following stand out:
Anorexia: Those affected have a distorted perception of their body and an excessive need to feel thin. As a result, they limit food intake or use medications that help them lose weight, which can cause serious health problems.
Bulimia: Characterized by occasional episodes where a large amount of food is consumed in a short time. Additionally, there is a great concern about physical appearance, so guilt after overeating leads to the use of aggressive methods to lose weight.
Binge Eating Disorder: The main characteristic is the occurrence of binge eating episodes that cause physical and mental discomfort but are not accompanied by compensatory actions to lose weight.
Symptoms
Although all eating disorders are characterized by an inappropriate relationship with food, symptoms can vary greatly depending on each disease.
Anorexia
- Irrational fear of gaining weight.
- Distorted body image.
- Restriction of food intake.
- Weight below normal.
- Skin and hair changes.
- Loss of menstruation.
- Irritability.
- Sadness.
Bulimia
- Distorted body image.
- Malnutrition.
- Dehydration.
- Dental problems.
- Irregular menstruation.
- Lack of calcium.
- Anxiety.
Compulsive Eating Disorder
- Obsession with body image.
- Anxiety about eating.
- Regret after binge eating.
- Use of food as an emotional response.
- Eating without hunger and in secret.
- Weight gain.
Causes
The causes of eating disorders are not fully understood, although it is believed that environmental, educational, parental attachment, and social appearance pressures, in addition to biological factors, play a role.
Risk Factors
Although anyone can suffer from eating disorders, they are more common among adolescent and young women. The likelihood of developing them increases when:
- There is a family history of these disorders.
- Certain mental health issues such as anxiety, stress, or depression are present.
- They have been bullied due to their appearance or weight.
Complications
Eating disorders can have very serious consequences for health. In addition to promoting the development of mental health disorders such as depression or anxiety, they can also affect the proper functioning of vital organs. Anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating disorder can cause work, school, social, or growth problems.
Ultimately, suicidal tendencies and related diseases can result in death.
Prevention
Preventing eating disorders is very difficult, though it is important to promote healthy eating, avoid dietary supplements, and engage in regular physical activity.
To prevent children and teenagers from suffering these illnesses, parents are advised to monitor their eating habits, encourage communication with their children, reinforce the positive body image they have, and avoid dieting in front of them.
Which doctor treats eating disorders?
Clinical psychologists specialize in the treatment of eating disorders.
Diagnosis
To diagnose disorders such as anorexia or bulimia, psychological techniques and physical tests must be used. The most common exams include:
- Medical history and blood tests to detect abnormalities caused by malnutrition or dehydration.
- Psychological evaluation to delve into emotions and detect behaviors indicating a poor relationship with food.
- Diagnostic imaging tests to detect other complications.
Treatment
In these cases, individual psychological treatment is often combined with family therapy. Both the patient’s family and the affected individual must be willing to undergo therapy for an extended period, as recovery from eating disorders is not easy.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is very effective, as it modifies the patient’s perception of their own body, gradually changing eating habits.
