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Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions characterized by unhealthy eating habits and distorted attitudes towards food, weight, and body image. People with eating disorders typically experience a preoccupation with their weight and shape, which can lead to restrictive eating patterns, binge eating, purging behaviors (such as self-induced vomiting or laxative abuse), or a combination of these behaviors.


There are several different types of eating disorders, including:

  1. Anorexia nervosa: a disorder characterized by a restriction of food intake, leading to significantly low body weight, an intense fear of gaining weight, and a distorted body image.

  2. Bulimia nervosa: a disorder characterized by episodes of binge eating followed by purging behaviors, such as vomiting or using laxatives.

  3. Binge-eating disorder: a disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating without compensatory behaviors.

  4. Other specified feeding or eating disorder (OSFED): a category that includes disorders that do not meet the full diagnostic criteria for anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or binge-eating disorder but still involve disordered eating patterns and significant distress or impairment.


It is reported that around 20 million women and 10 million men will have an eating disorder at some point in their lives.


The causes of eating disorders are complex and can involve a combination of genetic, environmental, and psychological factors. Some of the factors that may contribute to the development of an eating disorder include:

  1. Genetics: Research has suggested that certain genetic factors may increase an individual's susceptibility to developing an eating disorder.

  2. Environmental factors: Factors such as societal pressures to be thin, exposure to weight-related teasing or bullying, and a cultural emphasis on appearance and dieting may contribute to the development of an eating disorder.

  3. Psychological factors: People with eating disorders often have underlying psychological issues, such as low self-esteem, anxiety, or depression. They may also have difficulty expressing their emotions or coping with stress in healthy ways.

  4. Neurobiological factors: Some studies have suggested that changes in brain chemistry and function may contribute to the development of eating disorders.

It is important to note that eating disorders are not a choice or a lifestyle, and they are not caused by a lack of willpower or discipline. They are serious mental health conditions that require professional treatment and supp


Poem capturing it…


Different types-


Anorexia- Anorexia nervosa, also known as just anorexia, is an eating disorder. This disorder makes you obsess about your weight and food. If you have this problem, you may have a warped body image. You may see yourself as fat even though you have a very low body weight.

With anorexia, you may use unusual eating habits to cope with stress, anxiety, and low self-esteem. Limiting food may give you a sense of control over your life.

This problem affects more women than men. It often starts during the teenage years. The number of young women between the ages of 15 to 19 who have anorexia nervosa has increased every 10 years since 1930.

Videos explaining and understanding:


How to help someone with this --



Others personal stories-- https://www.bodywhys.ie/claires-story/

Binge eating disorder-- According to the American Psychiatric Association, women with binge eating disorder feel out of control and eat too much (binge), at least once a week for at least three months. During binges women with binge eating disorder usually eat faster than normal, eat until they are uncomfortable, eat when they are not physically hungry, and feel embarrassed, disgusted, or depressed because of the binges. Women with this type of eating disorder may be overweight or obese.

It can be difficult to tell whether someone has binge eating disorder. Many women with binge eating disorder hide their behavior because they are embarrassed.

You may have binge eating disorder if, for at least once a week over the past three months, you have binged. Binge eating disorder means you have at least three of these symptoms while binging:

  • Eating faster than normal

  • Eating until uncomfortably full

  • Eating large amounts of food when not hungry

  • Eating alone because of embarrassment

  • Feeling disgusted, depressed, or guilty afterward

People with binge eating disorder may also have other mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, or substance abuse. https://www.womenshealth.gov/mental-health/mental-health-conditions/eating-disorders/binge-eating-disorder

Videos explaining and understanding--

Bulimia- nervosa- Bulimia (boo-LEE-me-uh) nervosa, commonly called bulimia, is a serious, potentially life-threatening eating disorder. People with bulimia may secretly binge — eating large amounts of food with a loss of control over the eating — and then purge, trying to get rid of the extra calories in an unhealthy way. If you have bulimia, you're probably preoccupied with your weight and body shape. You may judge yourself severely and harshly for your self-perceived flaws. Because it's related to self-image — and not just about food — bulimia can be hard to overcome. But effective treatment can help you feel better about yourself, adopt healthier eating patterns and reverse serious complications. The exact cause of bulimia is unknown. Many factors could play a role in the development of eating disorders, including genetics, biology, emotional health, societal expectations and other issues. Girls and women are more likely to have bulimia than boys and men are. Bulimia often begins in the late teens or early adulthood.

Videos explaining and understanding- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hk0moXO7W74

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Remember you are never alone, if you need serious help please contact….

1-800-273-TALK (8255).



 
 
 

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