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Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions. Many confuse this with overeating. However, eating a lot does not always mean it is a disorder. Those who have reported this condition also experience a wide array of symptoms. This article will explain eating disorders' types, symptoms, causes, risk factors and other aspects.
Continue reading to learn more.
According to the Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fifth Edition), an eating disorder is a continuous disturbance of eating or eating-related behaviour. This eventually results in compromising an individual’s physical health and psychosocial functioning.
Eating disorders can pose a severe threat to health conditions; if untreated, it may also result in death. There is no specific age or gender that suffers from this condition; it can happen to anyone.
There are ten major types of eating disorders. Although these revolve around impulsive eating and weight fluctuations, each has unique symptoms.
Bulimia develops during adolescence or early adulthood and is seen mainly among women. Those who suffer from this condition eat a huge quantity of food in a very short period.
While binge eating, they can neither stop nor control their unusual consumption and keep eating until it hurts. People with Bulimia try to purge to compensate for their calorie intake by forced vomiting, fasting, excessive exercising, and using laxatives or diuretics.
Symptoms of Bulimia Nervosa
This kind of eating disorder also happens between adolescence and adulthood. Similar to Bulimia, Anorexia occurs more among women than men. People with this ailment feel they are overweight even if they are not.
Anorexia has two subtypes. One is the restricting calorie intake type, and the other is the compulsive eating and purging type. This is a dangerous type of disorder which can damage one's body over time. It has been seen people with this disorder experience thinning of their bones, brittle hair and nails, and infertility.
Symptoms of Anorexia
Binge eating disorder, or BED, is one of the most prevalent forms of an eating disorder. In this psychological condition, people keep eating fast until they feel comfortable. Distress is a major trigger for this condition.
If someone binge eats once a week for three months, they have this disorder. This condition can occur in childhood or inherit this condition. Although many overlook this condition, it can have serious health risks if not treated promptly.
Symptoms of Binge Eating Disorder
Pica is a type of eating disorder where patients eat things which are either inedible or have no nutritional value. This condition can develop in anyone, irrespective of age.
Individuals with Pica often face intellectual disabilities, autism, and psychological issues like schizophrenia. Depending on what they have eaten, this can eventually lead to fatal reactions.
Symptoms of Pica
In this particular type of eating disorder, people regurgitate previously chewed food, re-chew it and then either swallow it or spit it out. People practices rumination within 30 minutes of their meal.
If this disorder develops in an infant, it will occur before they turn one and disappear on their own. However, if this is not taken care of, it can lead to severe malnutrition and weight loss. In the case of adults, they restrict eating outside due to shame and would require therapy to treat.
Symptoms of Rumination
The main characteristic of this disorder is having no interest in eating thus, failing to meet the minimum daily nutrition requirements. In addition, individuals with this condition avoid food because of its texture, colour, smell, or taste.
Sometimes people fear the consequences of eating, like choking or weight gain. Hence, refrain from eating. As these people do not fulfil adequate nutrition, they tend to develop health issues.
Symptoms of ARFID
This category includes other types of eating disorders with similar symptoms but does not fit into any of these categories.
Symptoms of OSFED
One of the conditions that fall under OSFED, is Orthorexia. Although this disorder is gaining popularity, the Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) has not yet approved it as a separate disorder.
Symptoms of Orthorexia
People with this syndrome eat severely at night, and this urge often happens after waking up from sleep.
Symptoms of NES
This is an eating disorder that is common among diabetic patients. In Diabulimia, individuals knowingly restrict insulin consumption to lose weight.
Symptoms of Diabulimia
The general symptoms of eating disorders can be further broken down into two spectrums, mental, behavioural, and physical.
According to experts, many causes can lead to eating disorders. Here is a list of a few of them:
This has been proven that teenage girls or young women are more likely to develop eating disorders than men. However, it does not mean men cannot have such conditions at all.
The risk factors of eating disorders are listed below:
Although eating disorders are psychological, they can have severe complications, some of which can even become life-threatening. Nevertheless, the disorder's severity influences the complications one experiences.
Doctors look for specific habits and symptoms to diagnose if anyone has any kind of eating disorder. If they find the patients do have certain signs indicating such disorders, they will run a few tests to get an accurate diagnosis.
Treating an eating disorder is tricky because it requires assistance from a primary healthcare provider, dietician, and psychologist. However, in most cases, medication, therapy, and proper diet can help an individual to overcome this condition.
Along with these traditional treatment methods, one can also include these home remedies to increase their chances of overcoming the condition.
Suppose you observe a sudden drop or gain in weight and cannot figure out why you should see a doctor. In addition, having no appetite is also an indication to look for immediate medical aid.
Besides, if you notice any other irregularities in your eating pattern or cravings, you must get an emergency check-up.
Research shows eating disorders develop as a response to image and body dissatisfaction. Thus, it can be prevented by participating in some effective prevention programs. These programs may include certain approaches:
To conclude, there are at least ten different types of eating disorders each of them has some unique and common symptoms. However, all of them require accurate treatment, and if these symptoms are overlooked, it can result in severe health conditions
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