Eating disorders

An eating disorder is characterized by an unhealthy attitude towards food, which can potentially lead to serious illness.

Disordered eating can manifest in various forms, but some common eating disorders include:

1. Anorexia: Limiting food intake and/or engaging in excessive exercise to maintain an extremely low weight.
2. Bulimia: Binge eating over a short period and then engaging in purging behaviors such as self-induced vomiting, excessive exercise, or restrictive eating to prevent weight gain.
3. Binge eating disorder: Consuming large amounts of food within a short timeframe, leading to discomfort, followed by feelings of shame or guilt.

Some behavioral signs of an eating disorder include changes in eating habits, excessive exercise for weight loss, avoiding social events involving food, and significant weight loss or gain within a short period.

Psychological and physiological signs may include mood swings, social isolation, fatigue, muscle aches, insomnia, dizziness, irregular heartbeats, and sleep apnea.

Several factors can contribute to the development of an eating disorder, including:

• Family history of eating disorders
• Criticism related to eating habits, body shape or weight
• Intense preoccupation with being thin, such as in ballet dancers or athletes
• Anxiety, low self-esteem or perfectionism

It’s important to seek help if you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, as it requires proper diagnosis and treatment from healthcare professionals.