Posts Tagged ‘Eating’

Compulsive Eating Disorder Causes, Treatment and Prevention

Bulimia also called bulimia nervosa. Bulimia is a very dangerous weight loss strategy. Anorexia nervosa is one type of eating disorder. It is also a psychological disorder. Bulimia is characterized by episodes of secretive excessive eating (bingeing) followed by inappropriate methods of weight control, such as self-induced vomiting (purging), abuse of laxatives and diuretics, or excessive exercise. Anorexia is a condition that goes beyond out-of-control dieting. A person with anorexia initially begins dieting to lose weight. Over time, the weight loss becomes a sign of mastery and control. Bulimia is estimated to affect between 3% of all women in the U.S. at some point in their lifetime. About 6% of teen girls and 5% of college-aged females are believed to suffer from bulimia.

Most bulimics know that their eating patterns are not normal, but they feel unable to change their behavior. Approximately 10% of identified bulimic patients are men. Bulimics are also susceptible to other compulsions, affective disorders, or addictions. Some people use food as a way to cope with emotional ups and downs or low self esteem. People with bulimia can look perfectly normal. Most of them are of normal weight, and some may be overweight. Women with bulimia tend to be high achievers. Many experts consider people for whom thinness is especially desirable, or a professional requirement (such as athletes, models, dancers, and actors) to be at risk for eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa. Vomiting is a common source of problems. When a person vomits, he or she brings up partially digested food and stomach acid.

People with anorexia nervosa see themselves as overweight even though they are dangerously thin. Bingers eat when they are not hungry. They eat quickly. Binge eaters eat when they feel anxious, lonely and/or depressed. Anorexia eating disorders symptoms include thinning hair, dry, flaky skin and cracked or broken nails. Woman with anorexia eating disorders symptoms often stop menstruating. Another sign of anorexia eating disorder symptoms is the tendency to exercise obsessively – well beyond what is needed to maintain good health. Individuals with anorexia eating disorder also weigh themselves frequently. They often restrict not only food, also relationships, social activities and pleasure.

Causes of Compulsive Eating Disorder

1.Neurological or medical conditions.

2.Rigors of dieting.

3.Biological and genetic factors.( neurotransmitter serotonin ).

4.Poor body image.

5.Psychological factors (depression and anxiety ).

Symptoms of Compulsive Eating Disorder

1.Weakness

2.Vomiting blood

3.Fatigue.

4.Exhaustion

5.Heart burn.

Treatment of Compulsive Eating Disorder

Different kinds of psychological therapy have been employed to treat people with anorexia. Cognitive behavior therapy, group therapy, and family therapy have all been successful in treatment of anorexia. Bulimia can sometimes be treated with a self-help manual with occasional guidance from a therapist. Antidepressant medications (citalopram,escitalopram oxalate ,fluvoxamine maleate (Luvox) ,paroxetine (Paxil, Seroxat, Aropax), fluoxetine (Prozac) and sertraline )have been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of bulimia. Marital therapy, or couples therapy, helps to strengthen the relationship between life partners and helps to resolve communication problems. Support groups are led by trained volunteers or health professionals. To decide if a self-help support group will be effective in your binge eating treatment plan.

Binge Eating Disorder Revealed

Eating disorders are complex conditions that arise from a combination of prolonged behavioral, emotional, psychological, interpersonal, and social factors. It is a condition where food and the control of food are used in an attempt to compensate for feelings and emotions that may otherwise seem irresistible. People with eating disorder usually start dieting, bingeing, and purging as a way to cope with painful emotions and to feel in control of one’s life, but in due course, these behaviors damage a person’s physical and emotional health, self-esteem, competency and control over situations.

Among these disorders, the most common is the binge eating disorder. This refers to losing control over your portions, i.e. overeating in some cases. The characteristic of binge eating is consuming large quantity of food within a discrete period of time and not being able to control oneself or stop eating. People with binge-eating disorder experience frequent episodes of out-of-control eating; eating until feeling uncomfortably full; eating large amounts of food when not feeling physically hungry; tendency of eating alone because you are embarrassed about how much you eat; feeling disgusted with oneself, depressed, or very guilty after overeating.
Research are carried out to know the exact causes leading to binge eating and some foresee genetic link or insecurities involving body shape and weight as the possible reason. Binge eating disorder can also be triggered by excessive dieting, depression, anxiety, or even tension, which is believed to be calmed with binge eating. Unfortunately food binges usually come in the form of fatty snack foods like chips, pizza or cookies. Gorging yourself on said foods will likely lead to weight gain and obesity; dissatisfaction and a feeling that you lack discipline.

Individuals suffering from binge-eating disorder do not purge their bodies of excess calories. Therefore, many with the disorder are overweight for their age and height. Feelings of self-disgust and shame associated with this illness can lead to bingeing again, creating a cycle of binge eating creating space for chronic diseases like obesity and related complications, as well as depression. Treatment for binge eating disorder includes psychotherapy and sometimes medications, such as antidepressants. People with eating disorders often do not recognize or admit their sickness. As a result, they may strongly resist getting and staying in treatment. Family members or other trusted individuals can be helpful in ensuring that the person with an eating disorder receives needed care and rehabilitation.
Then there are also whimsical cases, which appreciate eating disorder and proclaim to be pro eating disorder. The moment they find people that will justify their actions they will begin the slide down into a habit-forming psychological disorder that will overtake their lives. So be practical in life and stay away from these bad eating habits to get on the fast track to a healthier life.

Do You Have An Eating Disorder?

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Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa are two of the most common forms of eating disorders. Statistic gathered by the Academy of Eating Disorders state that more than ten percent of women have symptoms, varying in degrees, of eating disorders.

Anorexia Nervosa is an eating disorder that is defined as having an intense fear of gaining weight. The person who suffers from this disease will do anything it takes not to gain an ounce. If they gain even as much as half a pound, it can send them into a panic and they will stop eating altogether. In extreme cases, the person affected becomes emaciated to the point where hospitalization is required.

Although Anorexia Nervosa is generally found in women, the amount of men that this eating disorder affects is rapidly increasing.

There are several other severe reactions that the body can have to this eating disorder. Women will stop menstruating, and in girls, it can be delayed altogether. Puberty is can be delayed. For boys and men, their sex hormones decrease or in severe cases, disappear completely.

Anorexia Nervosa also has psychological symptoms. Irritability, withdrawal and depression can be found in all victims of this eating disorder. Another symptom of Anorexia Nervosa is that the person afflicted with will develop compulsive eating habits. All food is put into two categories; good and bad.

The person afflicted with this eating disorder are deathly afraid of eating the foods that are in the “Bad food” category.

Often, a person who develops Anorexia Nervosa because they cannot control certain aspects of their life. They feel that the food that they eat is the one thing that they can control.

Bulimia Nervosa is another form of eating disorders. This is different from Anorexia because the person afflicted will binge eat.

This is when the person diets or starves themselves for long periods of time and then eats enough to fulfill their hunger. When they are done eating, they will begin to feel guilty then an intense fear of gaining weight will overcome them and they will purge themselves. To do this, they will either make themselves vomit what they consumed or they will use laxatives to clean out there system. Some who are afflicted with this eating disorder will exercise to the point of exhaustion. Although they think they have it under control, they do not. The cycle will start all over again.

Although those with bulimia maintain a normal body weight, it can still have devastating effect. From vomiting over and over again, a victim of Bulimia can develop esophageal erosion similar to acid reflux disease, as well as the erosion of tooth enamel.

If you are a parent of someone who has either one of these eating disorders, it is critical that you seek medical attention as soon as possible. Even if you are not sure your child has these disorders, let a medical professional confirm it or put your fears to rest.

Anorexia and Bulimia are a very private part of the victim’s life. They will have the fear that treatment means weight gain and they will go to any extent for that not to happen.

These eating disorder can be deadly. It is important to recognize the symptoms, and if there are any changes in your child’s eating patterns. If they start to eliminate their favorite foods from their diet ask questions and do not stop until you have a satisfactory answer.

Through the help of a physician medical treatment can be done to correct the physical damage caused. Therapy from a mental health professional one on one and in a group setting is usually the course of treatment, which works hand in hand with a doctor.

Summary:

Anorexia and Bulimia can only be diagnosed and treated by a physician. It is important that you seek treatment as soon as you recognize the symptoms. Part of the treatment will be session, whether private or group, with a psychologist. Group session have shown great results as the people afflicted with these eating disorders share their stories and usually support each other.