Title: Common Questions About Eating Disorders- Rosewood Ranch
1(No Transcript)
2What triggers eating disorders?
- Eating disorders are complex diseases. Genetics
and a family history of eating disorders,
personality traits such as perfectionism, and
psychological factors such as depression,
anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder and trauma
are all associated with eating disorders. Other
research indicates that some people with eating
disorders have abnormalities in brain chemicals
that regulate mood, stress, and appetite. - Social factors contribute as well. Research shows
that major life changes starting a new school,
moving, family problems, relationship break-ups
or the death of a loved one, may trigger eating
disorders or make mild symptoms worse.
3Im worried someone I care about has anorexia.
How can I tell if its just normal weight loss or
if they need help?
- Anorexia has behavioral and emotional components,
including dramatic weight loss, trying to hide
weight loss, preoccupation with weight, food,
calories or dieting, refusing to eat certain
foods or whole categories of food, maintaining a
rigid exercise routine and developing rituals
around food (such as insisting on eating foods in
a certain order). - Anorexia can also impact how people interact with
their friends and loved ones. Irritability,
depression, not wanting to eat in public,
frequently looking in the mirror to look for
perceived flaws and social withdrawal or loss of
interest in activities once enjoyed could mean
someone is suffering with anorexia.
4My teenager is acting very secretive and
withdrawn, and seems to be spending a lot of time
in the bathroom with the water running. Could it
be bulimia?
- People with bulimia are typically found out when
their loved ones detect self-induced vomiting
because of sights, sounds or smells. Clues that a
person may have bulimia include frequently going
to the bathroom during meals or right after
eating, flushing the toilet multiple times,
running tap water or the shower while in the
bathroom to disguise the sound of vomiting,
taking more than one shower a day to provide an
opportunity to purge, using a lot of mouthwash or
breath mints to hide the smell, and a raspy or
scratchy voice. - Although harder for friends and family to notice,
medical professionals may also spot damaged teeth
and gums, swollen salivary glands in the cheeks,
and sores in the throat and mouth. People with
bulimia may also misuse laxatives, which they
mistakenly believe will flush calories from the
body, or ipecac syrup to induce vomiting. (Ipecac
is intended to be taken after suspected
poisoning.)
5There are times that I feel out of control around
food, and terribly guilty after Ive overeaten.
Do I have binge eating disorder?
- When people binge eat, they typically eat large
amounts of food, rapidly, and continue even when
full. They may eat alone, hoard food, or hide
boxes and wrappers. After a binge, people often
feel disgusted or ashamed by their behavior.
People who binge eat may go on and off diets and
go up and down in weight. Low self-esteem, social
withdrawal and depression may also accompany
binge eating disorder.
6Can people have more than one eating disorder at
the same time?
- Eating disorder symptoms dont always fit neatly
into one category. For example, some people with
anorexia also purge. Some people with bulimia may
also exercise excessively to control their
weight. Others may alternate between anorexia and
bulimia. People with bulimia may also binge eat. - The important thing to understand is that the
behaviors associated with eating disorders are
often a manifestation of emotional issues. If
someone is struggling with food, eating, body
image, self-esteem, excessive exercise or other
aspects of their mental health, they should
receive help.
7Can You Tell by Looking at Someone That They Have
an Eating Disorder?
- Often you cant. People with eating disorders may
be a normal weight or look healthy. Their
appearance may not match the anxiety around food
and eating they feel inside. People with eating
disorders also often have a distorted body image.
To an outsider, they look perfectly fine. Yet
inside the person is preoccupied with their
physical appearance, to the point that it is
crowding out other thoughts.
8Can Eating Disorders be Cured?
- Eating disorders can be cured, in that people can
fully recover and their eating disorder behaviors
may never reoccur. Those individuals have not
only returned to balanced eating and a healthy
relationship with food, but they have also
developed a positive body image, learned
effective coping skills to deal with stress or
anxiety, and moved past the feelings, experiences
and fears that contributed to the problem. - In some people, however, even if they are no
longer actively engaging in eating disorders
behaviors, continue to have eating disorder
thoughts creep in. In recovery, they have to pay
close attention to their physical health and
their mental health to avoid slipping back into
dangerous habits. To help these individuals stay
on track, ongoing therapy, connection with their
therapeutic team and community-based support are
crucial. Rosewood has a strong alumni program
made of up people from all over the United States
who get together to provide that companionship
and encouragement to one other.
9Who is Vulnerable to Eating Disorders?
- People of any age, including boys, girls, men and
women. The media tends to focus on adolescent
girls and young women with eating disorders. As a
group, they do tend to have higher rates of
eating disorders. But about 15 of our patients
at Rosewood are men and boys, a number that has
steadily risen. - Members of the LGBTQ community are also
vulnerable to eating disorders. Struggles with
coming out, gender expression and school or
workplace bullying are thought to be contributing
factors. These experiences can lead anxiety,
depression, low self-esteem and trauma-related
issues, which are known to be associated with the
development of eating disorders.
10How Can I talk to Someone If I Suspect They Have
an Eating Disorder?
- Being confronted about an eating disorder can be
difficult for someone to hear. Choose a time when
you can speak privately, when youre calm and
when your family member or friend isnt overly
stressed. Explain your concern and give examples
of specific situations and behaviors that worry
you. Dont take it personally if the person you
care about lies about their behavior or becomes
defensive. This is a very common reaction. Being
found out may feel threatening to them. Be
patient, and supportive, and let them know help
is available.
11- If you have more questions about eating
disorders, contact Rosewood at 844-335-0871. We
can provide information about eating disorders,
advice on next steps and a confidential
consultation.