EATING DISORDERS

Anorexia Anorexia is an eating disorder that involves self-imposed weight loss. Individuals suffering from this disorder refuse to maintain a minimum healthy body weight and often tend to have distorted perceptions of their weight. They view themselves as “fat” when others can see that they are “thin,” sometimes to the point of emaciation. An intense fear of becoming “fat” is sometimes present, along with ritualistic and rigid behavior focused on food. In extreme cases, anorexia can be fatal, which is why it is important that individuals receive help to prevent any permanent physical damage or death.

Bulimia Bulimia is an eating disorder characterized by episodes of binge eating, and a preoccupation with the control of body weight. Binges are usually secretive bouts that involve rapidly eating a large quantity of food. The food often includes items that the person views as being forbidden or “bad.” Due to the weight obsession, some form of purging or restriction usually follows the bingeing. Purging usually consists of self-induced vomiting, laxative abuse or diuretic abuse, strenuous exercising, and/or fasting. Following this binge/purge cycle, the individual usually experiences guilt, self-deprecating thoughts, and realizes that his or her eating behavior is out of control.

Compulsive overeating Compulsive overeating is characterized primarily by periods of impulsive bingeing or continuous eating, often well beyond the point of feeling full. This eating typically has nothing to do with hunger, and everything to do with emotions. Although there is no purging, compulsive eaters tend to spend most of their lives on diets to compensate for their overeating and have a history of diet failures. While obesity can be a result of this disorder, a person can be classified as a compulsive eater and remain in the normal weight range. Often feelings of guilt, shame, and helplessness are associated with these binges.