Eating Disorder.

An eating disorder is characterized by an abnormal relationship with food and body. Contrary to popular belief, eating disorders are not based just solely on food, and it affects males as well as females. There are many contributing factors that lead to anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or binge eating disorder that have nothing to do with food, but are expressed through behaviors of disordered eating. The pattern of abnormal eating and dieting affects health, interpersonal relationships and socialization with significant emotional and medical complications. The American Psychiatric Association recognizes it as a major mental health diagnostic category. The Academy for Eating Disorders reports that conservative estimates for American females age 12 and up affected by eating disorders may exceed 10%. Eating Disorder Information

The disorder is similar to bulimia nervosa in that both syndromes involve eating, then trying to compensate for the calories. What sets the disorders apart is the amount of food consumed and the way people compensate for what they eat. Women with purging disorder eat normal or even small amounts of food and then purge, often by vomiting. Women with bulimia have large, out-of-control binge eating episodes followed by purging, fasting or excessive exercise. Eating Disorder Treatment

Binge eating disorder is a serious condition characterized by uncontrollable eating and a resulting weight gain. People with binge eating disorder frequently eat large amounts of food (beyond the point of feeling full) while feeling a loss of control over their eating. Although the bingeing behavior is similar to what occurs in bulimia nervosa, people with binge eating disorder usually do not engage in purging by vomiting or using laxatives. Compulsive Eating Disorder

The diagnosis of anorexia nervosa includes two subtypes of the disorder that describe two behavioral patterns. Individuals with the restricting type maintain their low body weight purely by restricting food intake and, possibly, by exercise. Individuals with the binge-eating/purging type usually restrict their food intake as well, but also regularly engage in binge eating and/or purging behaviors such as self-induced vomiting or the misuse of laxatives, diuretics or enemas. Binge Eating Disorder

Since 1990, Remuda Programs for Eating Disorders has treated nearly 8,000 women and girls suffering from anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. And with great success. A full 95% of patients remain in recovery after discharge, an outcome that appears unmatched by any other treatment center in the world. Eating Disorder Anorexia Bulimia

The two best-known types of eating disorders are anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. They can occur separately or together in the same person. A person who has an eating disorder is not always skinny. Some people with eating disorders are even overweight. Binge eating disorder is another kind of eating disorder. Eating Disorder Anorexia Nervosa

The primary difference between binge eating disorder and the more commonly known diseases of anorexia and bulimia is that the person with BED is not using methods like starvation or purging by vomiting, laxatives/diuretics, or excessive exercise to control their weight. It is important to be aware that binge eating disorder is a disease as serious as the other eating disorders and while it may not exhibit some of the more immediate physical health concerns seen in anorexia and bulimia, the dangers of being obese are well documented and of great concern. Eating Disorder Art

Eating disorders often are long-term illnesses that may require long-term treatment. In addition, eating disorders frequently occur with other mental disorders such as depression, substance abuse, and anxiety disorders (NIMH, 2002). The earlier these disorders are diagnosed and treated, the better the chances are for full recovery. This fact sheet identifies the common signs, symptoms, and treatment for three of the most common eating disorders: anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder (NIMH, 2002). Eating Disorder Blood Tests

According to the National Institutes of Health, 2 percent of all U.S. adults suffer from compulsive overeating making binge eating disorder more common than bulimia or anorexia. Unlike other eating disorders, which primarily occur in women, binge eating disorder also affects a significant number of men. Binge eating usually begins in late adolescence or early adulthood, often after a major diet. But most people don't seek help until much later when weight gain from their binge eating is causing health problems. Eating Disorder Clinic

Both binge eating and bulimia involve eating excessive amounts of food, feeling out of control while eating, and feeling guilty or ashamed afterward. But bulimia nervosa (sometimes called binge-purge syndrome) is different from binge eating disorder because people with bulimia vomit or use laxatives to try to keep themselves from gaining weight after eating. They may also try to burn off the extra calories by exercising compulsively as a way of making up for overeating. People with binge eating disorder do not have these "purge" characteristics. Eating Disorder Counseling

Anorexia Nervosa - This eating disorder is one in which a person either eats very little or nothing at all. Typically, those with this disorder are very thin and approximately 15% or more below the normal body weight for their specific height. Eating Disorder Help

Episodes of binge eating also occur in the eating disorder bulimia nervosa. Persons with bulimia, however, regularly purge, fast, or engage in strenuous exercise after an episode of binge eating. Purging means vomiting or using diuretics (water pills) or laxatives in greater-than-recommended doses to avoid gaining weight. Fasting is not eating for at least 24 hours. Strenuous exercise, in this case, is defined as exercising for more than an hour solely to avoid gaining weight after binge eating. Purging, fasting, and strenuous exercise are dangerous ways to attempt weight control. Eating Disorder In Teens

Bulimia Nervosa - People with bulimia typically binge eat and then proceed to purge what they have just eaten. Binge eating is when you consume an uncomfortable amount of food, often times leaving a very sick feeling, and purging is a form of self-induced vomiting. Sometimes this vomiting is done through the use of diuretics, laxatives, or excessive exercise. Those with bulimia typically maintain a normal weight. Eating Disorder Counselling

There are numerous variants of disordered eating in addition to binge eating disorder that do not meet the diagnostic criteria for anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa, but nevertheless are eating disorders requiring treatment. Individuals with eating disordered behaviors that resemble anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa but whose eating behaviors do not meet one or more essential diagnostic criteria may be diagnosed with EDNOS.

If you or your loved one struggles with an eating disorder, you may want to consider looking into eating disorder treatment at an eating disorder residential center. Bulimia help, anorexia treatment, and binge eating disorder care at these facilities often involves several different therapy types. Recovery of an eating disorder is possible at eating disorder treatment.

The eating disorder anorexia nervosa is a condition that can destroy you physically and emotionally. Those who have this condition should get professional help so they can get better and avoid other health complications. Rebecca's House has eating disorder treatment programs that can assist in the treatment of anorexia nervosa, bulimia, and other.

Identifying eating disorders can be challenging, since secrecy, shame, and denial are characteristics of the diseases. As a result, the illness can go undetected for long periods of time. In most cases, binge eating disorder is discovered when a person requests professional help with weight loss, or seeks treatment for an obesity-related health problem.

Women who develop this eating disorder at an early age have a better chance of complete recovery. However, most people with anorexia will continue to prefer a lower body weight and be preoccupied with food and calories to some extent. Weight management may be difficult, and long-term treatment may be necessary to help maintain a healthy body weight.

The Something Fishy Website on Eating Disorders is not meant as a replacement for care from your doctor. If you are in medical crisis please contact your doctor, eating disorder treatment team, therapist or dial 911 (or equivalent local emergency number in your area).

If you or a loved one are experiencing many symptoms of an eating disorder it is important to seek help now. As mentioned previously, an eating disorder is a serious psychological disorder needing therapy, and not one to be taken lightly. Constantly stressing over food and body image is not a good thing and affects your life in more ways than one. Relationships, physical health, performance at school and work as well as other enjoyable activities in life can be negatively altered by an eating disorder.