Types of Eating Disorders
Anorexia Nervosa (AN)
AN is an intense preoccupation with food and irrational fear of getting fat that leads to extreme undereating.
This may take the form of:
- starvation diets
- purging behaviors
- over-exercise
It is estimated that 1% of adolescent girls develop AN, and 10% of them will die of it. AN is characterized by rapid loss of at least 15% of ideal body weight; weight loss of 25% or more without having a physical illness; amenorrhea (loss of menstrual cycle); nutritional disorders (anemia, brittle hair and nails, cold sensitivity). Behavioral signs are obsession with thinness; extreme diet and exercise; excessive weighing; varied food-avoidance techniques. Physical effects include: damaged heart, brain, or kidneys; loss of reproductive ability; severe bone loss (osteoporosis).
Bulimia Nervosa (BN)
BN is a binge and purge syndrome that may develop in individuals trying to comply with societal standards of thinness; a cycle of dieting and binging can lead to a guilt-driven cycle of bingeing and purging. Bingeing involves eating extreme amounts of food (usually within 2 hours); purging involves self-induced vomiting, laxatives, diuretics, and/or extreme over-exercise.
Bulimics, mostly young women, may maintain normal weight or even above-average size. The restrictive diets they put themselves on are formulae for failure. The subsequent guilt drives them toward corrective measures that can lead to severe dental and gastro-esophageal damage, colitis, menstrual dysfunction, and heart and/or kidney failure. Depression and drug use may result over the long haul. Signs of BN include skin rashes, brittle hair and nails, and swollen salivary glands.
Binge Eating Disorder (BED)
BED is characterized by the most common weight issue Americans face - obesity. However, not all obese people have BED. The pathological behavior of obsessing over food is characteristic of all eating disorders. In BED, food is used as a drug or medication to cover or hide emotional pain. Food choices, quantities, and macronutrient variety tend to be consumed in large amounts out of synchrony with the body's needs. Activity is low. The imbalance leads to fat deposition.
The physical consequences are the same as in all obesity - high risk for Type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease, gastroesophageal problems, arthritis, etc. In addition, the psycho-logical fallout of isolation, shame, guilt, and low self-esteem creates a cycle of despair that reduces the chance for successful lifestyle change.
Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS)
Individuals with EDNOS do not meet the criteria for any specified eating disorder but suffer the same sorts of symptoms as those with other EDs. Some examples of EDNOS include:
1. All of the criteria for anorexia nervosa are met except that, despite substantial weight loss, the individual’s current weight is in the normal range.
2. All of the criteria for bulimia nervosa are met except binges occur at a frequency of less than twice a week or for a duration of less than three months.
3. An individual of normal body weight who regularly engages in inappropriate compensatory behavior after eating small amounts of food (ex., self-induced vomiting after the consumption of two cookies).
4. An individual who repeatedly chews and spits out, but does not swallow large amounts of food.
Disordered Eating
What is Disordered Eating? Far more common and widespread than defined eating disorders are atypical eating patterns, or disordered eating. Disordered eating refers to troublesome eating behaviors, such as restrictive dieting, rigid use of fat free foods, a daily skipping of breakfast or other meals, emotional eating and occasional bingeing -- all of which occur less frequently or are less severe than those required to meet the full criteria for the diagnosis of an eating disorder.
Disordered eating can be changes in eating patterns that occur in relation to a stressful event, an illness, personal appearance, or in preparation for an athletic competition. If disordered eating becomes sustained, distressing, or begins to interfere with everyday activities, then it may require professional evaluation.