3. MOST COMMON EATING DISORDERS
• Anorexia nervosa(people obsess about their weight and what they eat. They maintain a body weight
well below what’s normal for their height and age, often through starving or excessive exercise)
• Bulimia nervosa(A cycle of binging and purging calories through actions like vomiting, laxatives or
compulsive exercise. It’s related to self-image.)
• Binge eating disorder (episodes of eating significantly more food in a short period of time than most
people would eat under similar circumstances)
4. MYTHS
• Purging is an effective way to lose weight
• Eating Disorders are a lifestyle choice; someone can choose to stop having an eating disorder.
• Men don’t get eating disorders
• Eating Disorders are a result of over controlling parents and dysfunctional families
• You can tell if someone has an eating disorder simply by looking at them
• Recovery from eating disorders is rare
5. FACTS
• Eating Disorders in general have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness.
• About 50% of all people in the U.S. either know someone with an eating disorder or have been personally
affected by one.
• Anorexia is the third most common chronic illness among teen girls.
• People in all socioeconomic levels have eating disorders. The disorders have been identified across all
socioeconomic groups, age groups, both sexes, and in many countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, and North and
South America. (source: NEDA)
• At least 1 out of every 10 people with an eating disorder is male. In fact, within certain diagnostic categories
like Binge Eating Disorder, men represent as many as 40% of those affected.
• People with severe disorders including bulimia, binge eating, and anorexia can be underweight, normal
weight, overweight or obese and often fluctuate in weight. Even athletes who appear to be incredibly fit might
be struggling with an eating disorder.
6. BULIMIA NERVOSA
Symptoms
• Frequent changes in weight
• Stomach pain
• Muscle weakness and tiredness
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Loss of dental enamel
• Irregular menstrual periods
• Enlargement of cheeks and neck
• Changes in blood chemistry
• Sore throat and swollen glands
Signs
• Binge eating followed by purging
• Unusual food choices or cravings
• Vomiting, laxative use or diuretic use
• Disappearing after eating, often to the bathroom
• Excessive exercise to “get rid of” calories
• Feeling out of control about eating
• Eating secretly or hiding food
• Obsession about appearance and body
• Depression and low self-esteem
• Poor self-control in areas other than eating
7. ANOREXIA NERVOSA
Signs
• Obsessing over weight and diet
• Eating tiny portions, refusing to eat, not being hungry
• Avoiding fat, sugar and meat
• Intense fear of being or becoming fat
• Feeling fat even though thin
• Unusual eating habits
• Exercising too much
• Depression and low self-esteem
• Withdrawing from family or friends
• Feeling “huge” after eating small portion and possibly
purging
Symptoms
• Unhealthy weight loss (more than 15% of body weight or
much weight loss in a short span of time)
• Stomachaches, headaches, dizziness, fainting
• Feeling cold much of the time
• Constipation
• Loss of muscles
• Loss of menstrual periods
• Weakening of bones
• Heart rate, blood pressure and body temperature below
normal
• Dehydration
• Brittle hair and nails, hair loss
8. SUPPORTS/
TREATMENTS
• Family-based therapy (FBT)
• Enhanced cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT-E)
• Interpersonal therapy (IPT)
• Recovery centers
Recovery, though challenging, is
absolutely possible. Recovery can take
months or years, but with treatment,
many people do eventually recover and
go on to live a life free from their eating
disorder.
Other eating disorders include: Atypical anorexia nervosa (features of anorexia, without low weight)
Subthreshold bulimia nervosa (bulimia at a low frequency or short duration)
Purging disorder (when an individual purges but doesn’t binge)
Eating disorders are serious illnesses with mental and physical consequences that often involve a great deal of suffering. Someone can make the choice to pursue recovery, but recovery is a lot of hard work and involves more than simply choosing not act on symptoms. In most cases, the eating disorder has become a person’s main way of coping with intense emotions and difficult life events. In order to heal from the eating disorder, a person needs appropriate treatment and support regarding medical monitoring, nutritional rehabilitation and also learning and practicing healthier ways to manage stress.
