Eating Disorders

Eating disorders* are characterized by sever disturbances in eating behaviors and marked preoccupation with body weight and size. Individuals participate in eating behaviors such as the extreme reduction of food intake or extreme over-eating. Onset of eating disorders occur mostly during early adolescents and young adulthood, although, later onset does occur. It is a common misperception that only women get eating disorders; in fact, both women and men are diagnosed with eating disorders. Eating disorders are often found to be co-occurring with other mental illness.

Eating disorders affect both the mental and physical aspects of the individual and if not treated may become life threatening.

Eating Disorders* Include:

Anorexia Nervosa

Characterized by the refusal to maintain a minimally normal body weight for age and height through the restriction of food or purging of food. Behaviors that restrict food intake may include avoiding foods and meals, picking out a few foods and eating them in small amounts, weighing food, and compulsively counting calories. Purging may be accomplished by self-induced vomiting; misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or other medications; fasting; or over exercising. Postmenarcheal females experience amenorrhea.

Bulimia Nervosa

Characterized by the repeated episodes of binge-eating followed by purging. Purging may be accomplished by self-induced vomiting; misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or other medications; fasting; or over exercising. Episodes of binging and purging must take place at least twice a week for at least a three month period

Binge-Eating Disorder

Characterized by reccurent episodes of binge-eating with no compensatory behaviors to control weight gain. A loss of control is experienced during the binging episodes, and feelings of guilt and shame are experience after binging.

RELATED LINKS

1. Eating Disorders Fact Sheet - SAMHSA
2. Academy for Eating Disorders
3. National Eating Disorders Association

* - As defined by the DSM-IV,  the National Institute of Mental Health, the National

     Alliance on Mental Health, and the Academey for eating Disorders.