Eating Disorders
- Introduction
Just a few years ago, Eating Disorders belonged to skinny girls in psychiatric hospitals, but these days you can't pick up a gossip magazine without reading about some celebrity's battle with anorexia or bulimia. With all this sensational coverage, it can be difficult to work out what an eating disorder actually is, and whether or not you, or someone you know, might have a problem. So what is the truth behind the hype? And more importantly, what can you do if you or someone you know is suffering with an eating disorder?
Problems with eating span a huge spectrum, from skipping the odd meal to help you fit into those new jeans right up to the conditions that doctors recognise as psychiatric illnesses. Don't let the word 'psychiatric' fool you, though - you don't have to be 'crazy' to suffer with an eating disorder, and you shouldn't worry that people will think you're mad if you're having problems with food. Anyone can develop a problem at any time, so if you think that eating is becoming problematic for you, then ask for help now, as the longer these illnesses go on, the harder they are to treat.
You've probably heard of Anorexia and Bulimia nervosa, but doctors also recognise compulsive eating as a distinct disorder too. Though there are a whole host of specific medical criteria (which you can read about at our website, www.ditsu.ie) for the diagnosis of each of these conditions, the low-down is this:
- Anorexia
This is where you struggle to eat anything at all, and feel intense guilt when you do. Medically, an anorexic person will have lost a certain percentage of their body weight, but this illness is as much about what's going on in your head as in your body. If you are feeling hugely fat when the scales tells you that your weight is actually in a healthy range, then you might want to have a think about why you feel this way. Anorexia has a lot to do with controlling an area of your life - your weight - when other parts seem out of control, and so skipping meals and seeing the number on the scales fall can be very empowering for sufferers. It's a false sense of control, though, as the more weight you lose, the more of everything else that goes too. You don't have much energy for studying or going out with your friends when you haven't eaten in two days.
- Bulimia
This is where you actually manage to eat, and often in huge quantities, but you feel so rotten afterwards that you try to get rid of the calories somehow, either by making yourself vomit, by taking laxatives to excess, or by over-exercising. People suffering with bulimia are often at what's considered a normal weight, but there are lots of other things lost to this illness. Making yourself sick, or purging, literally rots your teeth, and it puts terrible strain on your internal organs, enough to induce heart attack.
- Compulsive Eating
This is when you eat more than you need to satisfy your hunger, without feeling like you can stop. Compulsive eaters don't have to be very overweight - again, there are physical signs of this illness, but you can be suffering without it showing on the outside. Don't feel as though you have to be a certain weight before you seek help for any of these conditions.
- So how do you know if you have an Eating Disorder?
A definite tip off is if you are worried about your own habits - if something is a problem for you, then it is worth seeking help. Don't be fobbed off by anyone who dismisses your concerns – even some doctors can think you need to be very over- or under-weight to be on a dangerous path – and find someone to talk to that will really listen, whether it is your local DIT counsellor or chaplain, your GP, or a trusted friend. If you are suffering from any kind of stress and find yourself turning toward food for help – by either avoiding it or eating lots of it – stop, take a breath, and ask for help. Remember, don't let an eating disorder fool you into thinking you're in control – real control is being strong and healthy, and having the strength and courage to do the things you want.
- I think my friend might have an eating disorder - what signs should I look out for?
- A sudden change in weight or eating habits, for example, a friend that previously used to have lunch with you regularly now always makes excuses to avoid eating in front of you
- If they have to eat with you, they may play with their food instead of eating it, or even try hiding it so you think they've eaten
- They insist on going to bathroom immediately after every meal
- Becoming increasingly secretive about food, and, in fact, in general
- They begin to exercise an awful lot
- They stop going out, attending lectures, and just generally withdraw
- In severe cases, they may begin to show signs of malnutrition, such as thinning hair, always feeling cold, loss of periods and hands and feet than can be swollen and blueish
It is very difficult to know what to do if a friend seems to be suffering in any way, and you must remember that any decisions your friend makes are his or hers alone. They might be in denial about the problem, so don't take it to heart if they don't want to talk to you - just let them know you care about them, that you don't judge them, and that you will be there for them if they ever do want to chat.
- What to Do
Eating disorders can be very tricky to treat, but the sooner you catch them, the better the chance of making a full recovery. So if you think that either yourself or a friend may be suffering from any food related problem, then talk to someone straight away.
- Where to Contact
Eating disorders can be very tricky to treat, but the sooner you catch them, the better the chance of making a full recovery. So if you think that either yourself or a friend may be suffering from any food related problem, then talk to someone straight away.
- Bodywhys Lo-Call Helpline 1890 200 444, Online Support Group http://www.bodywhys.ie/t2.phpc=support_services/bodywhysconnect/bodywhysconnect.html Email alex@bodywhys.ie
- Eating Disorder Resource Centre of Ireland www.eatingdisorders.ie, Tel: 053 9130506/ 087 2056560
