I’ve noticed that people often post to ask about eating disorders & ways of supporting. And most of the time people have to repeat what they said on another thread, so I thought I should post about it to clear up a few misconceptions.
People often think about ED as Dieting. Whereas Dieting is often for the improving the health of the body by losing a bit of weight slowly, ED is an illness when a person tries to feel better about her life through food / lack of food. It can be caused by many factors – depression, stress, lack of self-esteem, pressure from friends/media, trauma etc.
(a few most common ED’s listed below)
Anorexia Nervosa –
- refusal to maintain body weight at / above minimal normal weight
- intense fear of gaining weight, despite the patient being underweight
- denial of being seriously underweight / extremely critical of own body shape/weight
- absence of at least 3 menstrual cycle (this is a little vague)
binge-eating/purging type: patient regularly binge eating/purging(ie. self-induced vomiting/misuse laxatives, diuretics or enemas)
restricting type: patient not regularly binge eating/purging
Bulimia Nervosa –
- recurrent binge-eating (eating a much greater amount of food than normal people in a period of time & lack of self-control over eating)
- self-induced vomiting/misuse of laxatives/fasting/over-exercising to compensate for binging
- extremely critical of own body shape/weight
purging type: patient regularly self-induce vomiting/misuse laxatives
non-purging type: patient tries to compensate by fasting/over-exercising, but w/o self-induced vomiting/use of laxatives
Compulsive Overeating –
- engage in “emotional eating” (using food to cope with stress/problems)
- patients tend to be overweight, are ashamed of it, have low self-esteem & have a strong desire for love/affection which they lack
- an on-going cycle of binging to cope with stress guilt/stress further binging
- unlike anorexia/bulimia, patients are
aware of their abnormal eating habits
- at risk of heart attack/high blood pressure & cholesterol etc
Binge Eating Disorder –
- recurrent uncontrolled binges (eating till uncomfortably full)
- usually above average/overweight/rapid weight gain
- binging to cope with stress (like CED)
OR self-punishment for doing "bad" things (like Bulimia)
- unlike bulimia, patients do not engage in compensatory behaviours
- similar health risks as CED
Eating Disorder not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS) –
- meets all criteria for Anorexia Nervosa but:
has regular menses
“normal” weight despite substantial weight loss
- meets all criteria for Bulimia Nervosa but:
binges less than twice a week/for less than 3 months
- normal body weight but regularly engage in inappropriate compensatory behaviour after eating small amounts of food (ie. purging/over-exercising)
- repeatedly chews and spits out & does not swallow large amounts of food
EDNOS is usually much more difficult to diagnose and often unsuspected by other people because patients are not severely under/overweight.
Unlike what some people might think / see on TV, patients with ED usually do not publicly show/admit that they have ED’s, instead they try to HIDE their ED’s.
(a tsr member once thought that bulimics go binge in groups in the bathroom)
Support –
- remember ED’s often arise from emotional problems, and often the best way to help is to show your support rather than focus on food
- avoid saying “you’re too thin” “eat more” “go on a diet”, these phrases often make ED patients feel offended / worse about themselves, which could worsen their conditions
- do not force/restrict eating – this often leads to more binging/compensatory behaviours
Help –
- one-on-one therapy / psychiatrist
- support groups
- medical / hospital treatment (for severe cases)
Type(s) of treatment is up to the patient’s choice and the usefulness of treatment often depends on the individual. However, bear in mind that patients with ED are often afraid to ask for help / do not feel they deserve help. If you suspect your friends/family members are suffering from ED, it’s important to show concern and support, and to keep watch over them.
Hope this would help clarify a few things about ED’s.
Sites -
http://www.something-fishy.org
http://www.mic.ki.se/Diseases/F03.html#F03.375
http://www.edauk.com
http://www.pale-reflections.com
http://www.purplechocolate.co.uk (forum)
And a
Video
There is a song which I think has lyrics that can really related to the state of mind when having ED's. And I thought it might allow people to understand how patients with ED would feel in a different approach. I know it's not as simple as that...but I suppose it would give a basic idea. (*hope*)
Addicted (Kelly Clarkson)
It's like you're a drug.
It's like you're a demon I can't face down.
It's like I'm stuck.
It's like I'm running from you all the time.
And I know I let you have all the power
It's like the only company I see is misery all around.
It's like you're a leech,
Sucking the life from me.
It's like I can't breathe,
Without you inside of me.
And I know I let you have all the power
And I realise I'm never gonna quit you over time.
It's like I can't breathe.
It's like I can't see anything.
Nothing but you.
I'm addicted to you.
It's like I can't think.
Without you interrupting me.
In my thoughts,
In my dreams.
You're taking over me.
It's like I'm not me.
It's like I'm not me.
It's like I'm lost.
It's like I'm giving up slowly.
It's like you're a ghost that's haunting.
Leave me alone.
And I know these voices in my head are mine alone.
And I know I'll never change my ways
If I don't give you up now.
I'm hooked on you.
I need a fix. I can't take it.
Just one more hit.
I promise I can deal with it.
I'll handle, quit it.
Just one more time, then that's it.
Just a little bit more to get me through this.
AND a VERY good book -
Conquering Anorexia - Clare Lindsay. Although the author was Anorexic, it is also a very inspirational book for Bulemia & EDNOS. Reading the first page already struck me almost to tears because of the resemblance of our thoughts and feelings, and I would highly recommend it to those suffering from ED's as well as those who want to understand ED's.
The BEST BOOK I've read so far though is Wasted - Marya Hornbacher. It's another autobiography, and she was both bulemic and anorexic and I can identify with it so much. It explores many issues about eating disorders and I can identify so much with it. It is really worth reading. And for those without ED or want to understand it - it's a great read too.
Bulimia/Anorexia: The Binge Purge Cycle and Self-Starvation - Marlene Boskind-White, William C. White. This is the only self-help book which I've enjoyed reading about eating disorders, and it focuses more on Bulimarexia / Bulimia Nervosa more than Anorexia Nervosa. Highly recommend it.
(Depression longer than I can remember. Full blown ED from April 2003: EDNOS-BED-bulimia-anorexia. Saw a psych in Feb 2005 who controlled me with medication. Different therapist in Aug 2005. GP got me on a newer SSRI Dec 2005 because the old one didn't work anymore, and the new one had less side effects. Curently bulimic. In recovery.)
Last edited by eurasianfeline : 11-05-2007 at 00:18.
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Eating Disorders and Support
. It's good for people to know about it all.
)
but othertimes i cant eat anything all day...i literally have to force my tea down, n then i puke it up so no1 knows i cant eat...
