Eating Disorders – Cause and Control

We still don’t understand what controls our normal eating habits, or exactly what goes wrong in anorexia and bulimia.

All sorts of factors affect our appetite, from chemicals released deep in the brain, to mood, cultural beliefs and social habits. Usually all these factors contribute to the feeling of being hungry or full, but something goes wrong in people with eating disorders. Studies have shown disturbances in the release of chemicals from the brain, the stomach and the intestines in these people.

It’s currently estimated that among women aged 15 to 30, up to 1% suffer from anorexianervosa, 2% have bulimia and as many as 15% have binge-eating disorder.

Anorexia Nervosa:

The main symptom isthe relentless pursuit of thinness through self-starvation. This may become so extreme that it is life-threatening. Although it most frequently affects young women, anorexia nervosa is found among both sexes, of all ages – in many social and ethnic groups.

Some of the signs are:

Severe weight loss.
Recurring stress fractures.
Dry hair and skin.
Cold hands and feet.
Distortions and misconceptions about weight and body size.
Obsession with food and calories.
Preoccupation with self-control.
Compulsiveness in running (distress about 1 or 2 days)
Isolation – loss of friends.
Emotional, irritable behaviour.
Secret vomiting/purging.
Loss of menstrual periods.
Bulimia Nervosa:

This condition is characterised by overeating followed by self-induced vomiting and sometimes purging with laxatives. It can develop at any age, although it often follows an episode of anorexia. Bulimia can have serious physical consequences in the long term, such as damage to the stomach, tooth enamel and vocal chords. Some of the signs are:

Binge-eating large amounts of food.
Obsession with food and calories.
Vomiting and purging.
Often disappearing to the lavatory after meals in order to get rid of food eaten.
Sore throat.
Fatigue.
Weakness.
Headaches.
Secretive behaviour.
Feeling out of control.
Abdominal pain.
Diarrhea or constipation.
Menstrual disturbances.
Very low self-esteem.
Treatment of eating disorders

A variety of people treat eating disorders, using different techniques. These include family doctors, psychiatrists, dieticians or ideally a multidisciplinary team on a specialised Eating Disorders Unit. Treatment includes self-help approaches, psychological treatments (especially a treatment called cognitive behavioural therapy, which aims to give people a better understanding of their condition and learn ways to change their behaviour).

Getting better is often a long slow process. For example, 30% of anorexics who have apparently recovered will relapse in the first year after treatment, and need more therapy. But up to 75% of those with anorexia nervosa will achieve the aims of treatment after 6 months to 6 years. As many as 50% recover completely, while another 30-40% manage to lead a normal life.

Eating disorders lead to amenorrhea, which leads to bone loss and osteoporosis this has been defined as the “female athlete triad”

A national centre of excellence in research into this subject is:

Eating Disorders ResearchUnit
Institute of Psychiatry
De Crespigny Park
Denmark Hill
London SE5 8AF
Web: http://www.eatingresearch.com/

Anorexia and BulimiaCare

PO Box 173,
Letchford,
Herts
SG6 1PN

Web: www.anorexiabulimiacare.co.uk

Tel: 01462 423351 01462 423351

This national organisation supports sufferers and their carers of anorexia,bulimia and compulsive eating disorders. They can point people towards support groups or put people in touch with ex-sufferers. They can despatch a written material about the conditions. Please send an A4 SAE.

Eating Disorder Association (EDA)
1st Floor,
Wensum House,
103 Prince of Wales Road,
Norwich
Norfolk
Web: www.edauk.com/