Eating Disorders
Eating disorders result in not only physical and mental health issues but also affect a person’s ability to function optimally in day to day activities. According to NEDA (National Eating Disorder Association) the most common eating disorders are:
Anorexia Nervosa: Those with anorexia reduce the amount of caloric intake required for their particular weight, age, and gender. This can ultimately negatively impact their development and physical health.
Bulimia Nervosa: Those with bulimia consume large amounts of food, and then induce themselves to extract the food (either through vomiting, laxative pills, etc.)
Binge Eating Disorder (BED): Those with binge eating disorder consume large amounts of food in small periods of time.
Other eating disorders include: avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder, rumination disorder, pica, other specified feeding or eating disorder, and unspecified feeding or eating disorder.
According to ANAD (National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders), about 30 million Americans suffer from some sort of eating disorder. Eating disorders hold a record for having the highest mortality rate when compared to other mental illnesses; someone dies of an eating disorder every 62 minutes.
Eating disorders are recommended to be taken on by a treatment team that consists of a psychologist, psychiatrist, primary care physician, and nutritionist in order to cater to all of the facets of the disease. In severe cases, hospitalization may be necessary in order to ensure that the client’s body functions appropriately. Physical health is extremely important to maintain in the treatment of eating disorders.
The National Eating Disorder Helpline can be reached Monday-Thursday, 9am-9pm; and Friday 9am-5pm at:1-800-931-2237
Note: Jaclyn Yuki Birdsall, M.S., LMFT 133678 is not responsible for the content, claims or representations of the listed sites.