Eating Disorders Finding Balance on the Battlefield

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Eating DisordersFinding Balance on the
Battlefield
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Types of Eating Disorders

• Anorexia (also known as anorexia nervosa) is the
  name for simply starving yourself because you are
  convinced you are overweight. If you are at least
  15 percent under your normal body weight and you
  are losing weight through not eating, you may be
  suffering from this disorder.
• Bulimia (also known as bulimia nervosa) is
  characterized by a secretive cycle of binge
  eating followed by purging. Bulimia includes
  eating large amounts of food--more than most
  people would eat in one meal--in short periods of
  time, then getting rid of the food and calories
  through vomiting, laxative abuse, or
  over-exercising.
• Binge Eating (also known as COMPULSIVE
  OVEREATING) is characterized primarily by periods
  of uncontrolled, impulsive, or continuous eating
  beyond the point of feeling comfortably full.
  While there is no purging, there may be sporadic
  fasts or repetitive diets and often feelings of
  shame or self-hatred after a binge. People who
  overeat compulsively may struggle with anxiety,
  depression, and loneliness, which can contribute
  to their unhealthy episodes of binge eating. Body
  weight may vary from normal to mild, moderate, or
  severe obesity.

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Severity of Eating Disorders

• Eating disorders are serious problems and need to
  be diagnosed and treated like any medical
  disease. If they continue to go untreated, these
  behaviors can result in future severe medical
  complications that can be life-threatening.
• Eating disorders involve serious disturbances in
  eating behavior, such as extreme and unhealthy
  reduction of food intake or severe overeating, as
  well as feelings of distress or extreme concern
  about body shape or weight.

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Warning Signs

• Anorexia
• Fear of weight gain
• Excessive Weight Loss
• Denial of hunger and refusal to eat
• Excuses to avoid meals
• Talk about food all the time
• View self as fat even when very thin
• Excessive or compulsive exercising
• Depression, isolation
• Menstrual periods stop or dont start

• Bulimia
• Preoccupation with food and calories
• Secret eating, hoarding food
• Feeling out of control
• Bathroom trips immediately after eating
• Eating enormous meals without weight gain
• Binge eating, then purging by vomiting,
  laxatives, diuretics, fasting or diet pills
• Dental problems from acid on teeth

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Eating Disorders Are Illnesses, Not Choices

• I'm so fat.
• Girls with eating disorders can't see what's
  real. Protect your daughter by giving her real
  world examples of a healthy body image. Emphasize
  her real assets, like intelligence and talent.
  And if you even suspect she may have an eating
  disorder, get real help. Anorexia, bulimia and
  binge eating are real illnesses that can cause
  serious damage, even death. To raise healthy
  daughters, we all need to get real.

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Health Consequences of Anorexia

• Health Consequences of Anorexia Nervosa In
  anorexia nervosas cycle of self-starvation, the
  body is denied the essential nutrients it needs
  to function normally. Thus, the body is forced to
  slow down all of its processes to conserve
  energy, resulting in serious medical
  consequences.
• Abnormally slow heart rate and low blood
  pressure, which mean that the heart muscle is
  changing. The risk for heart failure rises as the
  heart rate and blood pressure levels sink lower
  and lower.
• Reduction of bone density (osteoporosis), which
  results in dry, brittle bones.
• Muscle loss and weakness.
• Severe dehydration, which can result in kidney
  failure.
• Fainting, fatigue, and overall weakness.
• Dry hair and skin hair loss is common.
• Growth of a downy layer of hair called lanugo all
  over the body, including the face, in an effort
  to keep the body warm.

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Health Consequences of Bulimia

• Health Consequences of Bulimia Nervosa The
  recurrent binge-and-purge cycles of bulimia can
  affect the entire digestive system and can lead
  to electrolyte and chemical imbalances in the
  body that affect the heart and other major organ
  functions.
• Electrolyte imbalances that can lead to irregular
  heartbeats and possibly heart failure and death.
  Electrolyte imbalance is caused by dehydration
  and loss of potassium, sodium and chloride from
  the body as a result of purging behaviors.
• Potential for gastric rupture during periods of
  bingeing.
• Inflammation and possible rupture of the
  esophagus from frequent vomiting.
• Tooth decay and staining from stomach acids
  released during frequent vomiting.
• Chronic irregular bowel movements and
  constipation as a result of laxative abuse.
• Peptic ulcers and pancreatitis.

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Health Consequences of Binge Eating

• Health Consequences of Binge Eating Disorder
  Binge eating disorder often results in many of
  the same health risks associated with clinical
  obesity.
• High blood pressure.
• High cholesterol levels.
• Heart disease as a result of elevated
  triglyceride levels.
• Type II diabetes mellitus.
• Gallbladder disease.

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Facts About Eating Disorders

• The prevalence of anorexia nervosa among women
  ranges from 0.5 to 3.7 in various studies. For
  bulimia nervosa among women, it ranges from 1.1
  to 4.2. Eating disorders are more commonly seen
  among females, with a male/female ratio of 19.
  Patients with eating disorders are more likely to
  suffer from major depression, obsessive-compulsive
  disorder, social anxiety disorder, and alcohol
  and drug abuse.

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Cont Facts About Eating Disorders

• In the United States, as many as 10 million
  females and 1 million males are fighting a life
  and death battle with an eating disorder such as
  anorexia or bulimia. Approximately 25 million
  more are struggling with binge eating disorder
  (Crowther et al., 1992 Fairburn et al., 1993
  Gordon, 1990 Hoek, 1995 Shisslak et al., 1995).
  

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Early Interventionof Male Eating Disorders

• Eating disorders do not discriminate on the basis
  of gender. Men can and do develop eating
  disorders.
• Learn about eating disorders and know the warning
  signs. Become aware of your community resources
  (treatment centers, self-help groups, etc.).
  Consider implementing an Eating Concerns Support
  Group in a school, hospital, or community setting
  to provide interested young men with an
  opportunity to learn more about eating disorders
  and to receive support. Encourage young men to
  seek professional help if necessary.
• Understand that athletic activities or
  professions that necessitate weight restriction
  (e.g., gymnastics, track, swimming, wrestling,
  rowing) put males at risk for developing eating
  disorders. Male wrestlers, for example, present
  with a higher rate of eating disorders than the
  general male population (Andersen, 1995). Coaches
  need to be aware of and disallow any excessive
  weight control or body building measures employed
  by their young male athletes.
• Talk with young men about the ways in which
  cultural attitudes regarding ideal male body
  shape, masculinity, and sexuality are shaped by
  the media. Assist young men in expanding their
  idea of masculinity to include such
  characteristics as caring, nurturing, and
  cooperation. Encourage male involvement in
  traditional non-masculine activities such as
  shopping, laundry, and cooking.

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Contd Male Eating Disorders

• Demonstrate respect for gay men, and men who
  display personality traits or who are involved in
  professions that stretch the limits of
  traditional masculinity e.g., men who dress
  colorfully, dancers, skaters, etc.
• Never emphasize body size or shape as an
  indication of a young mans worth or identity as
  a man. Value the person on the inside and help
  him to establish a sense of control in his life
  through self-knowledge and expression rather than
  trying to obtain control through dieting or other
  eating disordered behaviors.
• Confront others who tease men who do not meet
  traditional cultural expectations for
  masculinity. Confront anyone who tries to
  motivate or toughen up young men by verbally
  attacking their masculinity e.g., calling names
  such as sissy or wimp.
• Listen carefully to a young mans thoughts and
  feelings, take his pain seriously, allow him to
  become who he is.
• Validate a young mans strivings for independence
  and encourage him to develop all aspects of his
  personality, not only those that family and/or
  culture find acceptable. Respect a persons need
  for space, privacy, and boundaries. Be careful
  about being overprotective. Allow him to exercise
  control and make his own decisions whenever
  possible, including control over what and how
  much he eats, how he looks, and how much he
  weighs.

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Seeking Treatment

• Eating disorders are serious health conditions
  that can be both physically and emotionally
  destructive. People with eating disorders need
  to seek professional help. Early diagnosis and
  intervention significantly enhances recovery. If
  not identified or treated in their early stages,
  eating disorders can become chronic,
  debilitating, and even life-threatening
  conditions.
• What does treatment involve? The most effective
  and long-lasting treatment for an eating disorder
  is some form of psychotherapy or psychological
  counseling, coupled with careful attention to
  medical and nutritional needs. Ideally, this
  treatment should be tailored to the individual
  and will vary according to both the severity of
  the disorder and the patient's particular
  problems, needs, and strengths.
• Treatment is Available. Recovery is Possible.

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Contd Seeking Treatment

• Psychological counseling must address both the
  eating disordered symptoms and the underlying
  psychological, interpersonal, and cultural forces
  that contributed to the eating disorder.
  Typically care is provided by a licensed health
  professional, including but not limited to a
  psychologist, psychiatrist, social worker,
  nutritionist, and/or medical doctor. Care should
  be coordinated and provided by a health
  professional with expertise and experience in
  dealing with eating disorders.
• Many people with eating disorders respond to
  outpatient therapy, including individual, group,
  or family therapy and medical management by their
  primary care provider. Support groups,
  nutritional counseling, and psychiatric
  medications under careful medical supervision
  have also proven helpful for some individuals.
• Hospital Based Care (including inpatient, partial
  hospitalization, intensive outpatient and/or
  residential care in an eating disorders specialty
  unit or facility) is necessary when an eating
  disorder has led to physical problems that may be
  life-threatening, or when it is associated with
  severe psychological or behavioral problems.
• The exact treatment needs of each individual will
  vary. It is important for individuals struggling
  with an eating disorder to find a health
  professional they trust to help coordinate and
  oversee their care.

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Eating disorders are illnesses with a biological
basis modified and influenced by emotional and
cultural factors. The stigma associated with
eating disorders has long kept individuals
suffering in silence, inhibited funding for
crucial research has created barriers to
treatment. Because of insufficient information,
the public and professionals fail to recognize
the dangerous consequences of eating disorders.
While eating disorders are serious, potentially
life threatening illnesses, there is help
available and recovery is possible.