There are various kinds of eating disorders that are marked by patients having an unhealthy relationship with food. These conditions can lead to long-term health problems and can even cause death. Patients with these conditions often require a lifetime of treatment to maintain their health and well-being and to combat the symptoms of their disorder.
There are various kinds of eating disorders that have their own unique symptoms. In some patients, more than one kind of eating disorder might be present.
The symptoms of this eating disorder are weight loss due to excessive dieting and exercise. These patients believe that they are still too “fat” despite their extreme weight loss.
In this eating disorder, patients will avoid specific foods or eat very little each day. The foods that patients avoid are often foods with specific textures or odours.
This condition is marked by regular cycles of extreme overeating followed by purging. Patients with Bulimia report feeling a loss of control where food is concerned.
Binge eating disorder is characterised by episodes of extreme overeating and feelings of a loss of control over food and eating behaviours.
There are some common symptoms that are associated with all of these eating disorders:
The precise cause of eating disorders is not known. Just as in other mental health conditions and disorders, there can be various causes that contribute to the development of these disorders. Genetics are likely both a cause and a risk factor for these conditions, and many people who have eating disorders have family members who do as well.
Biology might also be a risk factor and a cause of these conditions. Changes to chemicals in the brain might be a reason for eating disorders to express themselves. Some people who have eating disorders also struggle with other mental health problems, such as anxiety or depression. These conditions might be linked, or they might just be coincidental.
There are other risk factors related to the development of eating disorders:
Impulse Control & Addiction Disorders
Impulse Control & Addiction Disorder Medications
Personality Disorder Treatment
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Treatment
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Treatment
Are Mental Health Problems Preventable?
Eating disorders are often first identified by the primary care physician or a family member who has noticed the symptoms of these conditions. A physical exam might also turn up these conditions. A mental health evaluation will always be needed to identify the specific eating disorder or disorders that the patient is suffering from. This evaluation will also look for other mental health issues that might be present, as well as the eating disorder.
Bloodwork will often be done for these patients. In some cases, an underlying health condition is contributing to the eating disorder that brought a patient in for treatment. In other cases, supportive care needs to be given to patients who are suffering from starvation and possible organ damage due to their eating disorder. Blood work can tell doctors a lot about the severity of the eating disorder, which can help to guide treatment.
Prevention of these mental health conditions is not always possible. However, parents can have conversations with their children about healthy eating, and teaching about healthy exercise routines might help prevent eating disorders. Getting a healthy amount of exercise and eating balanced meals might also help to prevent these conditions. Those who are suffering from stress and other mental health struggles should seek treatment for these conditions as well as their eating struggles.
Treatment of these kinds of mental health conditions can be unique to each patient. A dietician, a mental health care professional, and one primary care physician will typically all provide supportive care for patients with eating disorders. In severe cases, patients might need to be put in the hospital to be stabilised before being released to go home. Other patients benefit from inpatient treatment for their eating disorder.
Cognitive behavioural therapy and family—based treatment are often very effective in treating eating disorders. Some patients can also benefit from being placed on antidepressant medications. There are also medications that help to control hunger signals which can sometimes be the driving force behind binge eating or purging.