Eating Disorders – Early Detection & Treatment Are Key to Recovery
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Eating disorders are a serious type of mental illness that, when left untreated, can be deadly. People with eating disorders have persistent and unhealthy thoughts and behaviors about food, which causes them to eat dangerously too little or too much.
Eating disorders are not a lifestyle choice or a phase. They are illnesses that can impact anyone of any age, gender, body type, race, or socioeconomic group. An estimated 30 million Americans struggle with an eating disorder during their lifetime. In the U.S., more than 10,000 deaths each year are a direct result of an eating disorder.
The number of people needing treatment for eating disorders has increased even more as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, emergency room visits for eating disorders doubled among 12- to 17-year-old girls during the pandemic, according to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Rural Americans Face Higher Risks from Eating Disorders
Although there hasn’t been much research done on eating disorders in rural populations, rural Americans may be at increased risk for developing an eating disorder – especially adolescents living in rural communities. That’s because people living in rural America face a number of barriers and risk factors that may have a unique impact, including lack of access to healthcare and mental health services, lack of insurance coverage, food insecurity, socioeconomic status, weight stigma, and body image. In addition, the treatment options available for eating disorders are limited in many rural areas throughout the U.S., despite the fact that eating disorders are among the most fatal mental illnesses.
But there is hope. Eating disorders are treatable and recovery is possible. The sooner a person with an eating disorder gets treatment, the better chance they have for recovery. Both early detection and aggressive treatment are the best ways to prevent long-term illness and death from eating disorders.
Causes and Symptoms of Common Eating Disorders
The exact cause of eating disorders is not known, however, research indicates that the interaction of several factors – including genetic, psychological, social, biological and behavioral – increase a person’s risk for developing an eating disorder. People with eating disorders may also have other co-occurring mental conditions, including depression, anxiety disorders or substance abuse.
While there are many eating disorders, this section highlights symptoms of the three most common types:
Anorexia nervosa
People with anorexia nervosa eat very little food and are extremely fearful of gaining weight. They often see themselves as overweight, even when they are severely underweight. Anorexia is typically characterized by not eating enough, over-exercising or a combination of both. These behaviors lead to excessive weight loss, which denies the body of the nutrients it needs to function properly.
Compared with other eating disorders and mental illnesses, anorexia nervosa is the deadliest. It can result in serious health problems including heart failure, osteoporosis, muscle loss and weakness, and severe dehydration that can lead to kidney failure. In addition, suicide is the second leading cause of death for people who have been diagnosed with anorexia nervosa.Binge-Eating Disorder
Binge-eating disorder is more than just eating too much. People with binge-eating disorder experience a sense of loss of control and feel as if they can’t stop eating. They eat when they aren’t hungry and even when they feel uncomfortably full. After eating too much in a short period of time, people with binge-eating disorder are often upset and overcome with feelings of shame and guilt.
Binge-eating disorder can result in many of the same health risks as obesity including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes and gallbladder disease.
Bulimia nervosa
When binge eating is followed by purging – which involves people forcing themselves to vomit, taking laxatives, fasting or over-exercising to “purge” – it’s call bulimia nervosa. People with bulimia nervosa may be able to maintain a normal weight, but the binge and purge cycles negatively affect the entire digestive system and can lead to electrolyte and chemical imbalances that damage the heart and other major organs.
How to Recognize the Warning Signs of an Eating Disorder
The following are some of the common physical signs and behaviors experienced by people who are developing an eating disorder:
Having an obsession with food, dieting, calories and carbohydrates
Being preoccupied with body size, weight and image
Losing or gaining a lot of weight
Following strict rules about food and exercise
Feeling weak, tired and dizzy
Avoiding activities that involve social eating
Developing acid-related dental problems (from vomiting with bulimia)
An eating disorder screening test is available online from Mental Health America and may be a useful tool to help evaluate if you or a loved one is at risk for developing an eating disorder. The test has been designed to help people explore eating-related concerns that can affect physical health and overall wellbeing.
Treating Eating Disorders
If you recognize the warning signs of an eating disorder in yourself or a loved one, seek help and treatment right away. A good place to start would be with your primary healthcare provider or a mental health professional. Keep in mind that the longer the harmful eating patterns and behaviors persist, the more difficult an eating disorder can be to overcome.
There are a variety of treatments for eating disorders and the best treatment option depends on the disorder and severity of the symptoms. Typically, treatment includes psychiatric therapy, nutrition education and monitoring by a healthcare professional. Sometimes medications are needed, as well as treatment for other health problems caused by the eating disorder. For children and young people who are diagnosed with an eating disorder and still living at home, active involvement and support from family members are critical to treatment success.
Click here for more information from the Mayo Clinic about eating disorder treatment options.
Help and Support for Eating Disorders
There’s a lot of misinformation in circulation about eating disorders, especially on social media. Although social media can be a good source for peer support and treatment options, it can also be harmful to people who are struggling with an eating disorder and vulnerable to messages and images that both promote eating disorders and reinforce obsessive behaviors and thoughts around food and exercise.
When seeking information and support for eating disorders, be sure the resources are reputable, including from the following organizations:
National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD)
Families Empowered and Supporting Treatment of Eating Disorders (F.E.A.S.T.)
Mental Health America (MHA) – Eating Disorder Information and Support
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) – Eating Disorders
National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA)
If you need help managing a mental health crisis, call or text 988. The 988 Lifeline is free, confidential, and available 24/7.