The Topic of Discussing an Eating Disorder is a Sensitive One

Do you know someone that’s self destructing because of an eating disorder? Understanding how the disease works and how it effects both men and women can make a huge difference when trying to figure out how to support a loved one.

According to an article at guardianlv.com, “Understanding an Eating Disorder”

“Eating disorders can be life threatening and according to NEDA they are “extremely complex” illnesses that can arise from numerous “biological, psychological and social factors.” These multifactorial disorders wear many faces and they are each in their own way life threatening. Also, the side effects of an eating disorder are detrimental to a positive quality of life if left untreated.

Those who have eating disorders often live in fear of being “found out”, have extremely low self-esteem and a true misperception about their body shape, size and weight. Because of this, they struggle to have a healthy relationship with food and to cope with the psychological repercussions of low self-esteem, shame and feelings of guilt.
Although not all eating disorder symptoms fit neatly into one category, certain self-destructive patterns have been identified. Anorexia is the misconception of obesity that can result in deliberate self-starvation and an obsession with body image.

Bulimia Nervosa is a disorder that involves eating extreme amounts of food and then self-inducing a vomiting purge to prevent weight gain. Finally, a generalized eating disorder results in binge eating with extreme loss of self-control, which reinforces a negative self-image that can keep the cycle of binge eating going.

It used to be thought that eating disorders primarily affected only women and teenage girls. However, Doctor Alix Timko, director of the Eating Disorder Research Program at the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia has been studying the incidences of eating disorders in both genders. It is now known that eating disorders do occur in men and teenage boys. This is something that parents especially need to be aware of, as it is possible that sons are better at concealing an eating disorder, especially if parents carry the misconception that boys are not affected by them.”
To read the entire article click here.

For more information on how to start your path on to recovery from an eating disorder, contact ABC Nutrition Services at 775-329-0505 or visit abcnutritionservices.com.