Eating Disorders Bulimia and Anorexia

Eating Disorders. Bulimia and Anorexia

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, there are two types of eating disorders, bulimia and anorexia. Each are different, and each can lead to death, if left untreated. If you, or somebody you know, suffers from either, I urge you to get help. Some famous people have suffered from eating disorders, and having an eating disorder does not mean you are crazy, but it does mean you need help. Princess Di, suffered from bulemia, and Mary Carpenter suffered from anorexia, and eventually died from this disorder. Again, if you suffer from an eating disorder, get yourself help.

Bulimia is characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating, and then forced regurgitation, to avoid weight gain. Bulimia isn't just going to a buffet, gorging food, and then throwing up, because you ate too much food. Bulimia is binging on huge quantities of food at least twice per week, and then throwing up, to prevent weight gain.

Characteristics of bulimia include:

Fear of fatness

Pursuit of weight loss

Fear of loss of control of eating

Perceptual distortion of body size

Low self esteem

Anorexia is characterized by fear of gaining weight, and an intense preoccupation with weight gain or becoming fat. The person suffering from anorexia has a disturbance in perception of their own body weight, and pursuit of weight loss, and fear of loss of control of eating. 20% of people who suffer from anorexia will die from this disorder.

Characteristics of anorexia include:

Fear of weight gain

Pursuit of weight loss

Disturbance of perception of body weight

Restrictive diets ranging from 500-800 calories a day

People who suffer from eating disorders have depression and anger. Unfortunately, the anger is frequently dismissed, or ignored, and often left untreated, however it must be treated to treat this eating disorder. One of the most effective methods of treating, and talking about the anger is in a group setting, as group provides a setting in which it is difficult to manipulate the group.

The level of treatment for eating disorders is complex and beyond the scope of this article, but the levels of treatment range from self help and support groups, to low intensity outpatient treatment, to intensive treatment, to partial hospitalization programs to residential treatment, to hospitalization.

The goals of treating eating disorders are:

1. Interrupt the binge/purge cycle

2. Normalize eating patterns

3.Increase self esteem

4. Positive cognitive restructuring

5. Promote self responsibility

6. Promote flexibility

7.Stabilize chaotic thought patterns

8. Repair physical damage

9.Explore leisure activiities

10. Begin to develop healthy relationships

11. Begin to repair healthy relationships

12. Educate about recovery and relapse tools

Treating bulimia and anorexia is complex, and multifaceted process. It requires work, time and commitment. If you suffer from an eating disorder, get help. It can change your life. It can save your life.