Eating disorders: Recognizing and helping

Eating disorders: Recognizing and helping

eating disorders: recognizing and helping

Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses that can have both physical and psychological effects on those affected. It is important to recognize these diseases at an early stage and offer help in order to support those affected in developing a healthy relationship with the food and their own body again. In this article, different types of eating disorders are explained and tips are given on how to recognize them and how to help those affected.

types of eating disorders

1. Anorexia nervosa (anorexia)

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder in which those affected have an extreme fear of weight gain. You refuse food intake or reduce your calorie intake to control your weight. People with anorexia nervosa often have a distorted body image and see themselves as overweight, although they are actually underweight. Symptoms include extreme weight loss, pronounced bone prey or muscle loss, dry skin and depression.

2. Bulimia nervosa (eating broken addiction)

Bulimia nervosa is characterized by repeated episodes of eating attacks, followed by forced vomiting or other behaviors to compensate for the absorbed calories, such as excessive sports or taking laxatives. Affected people often have a normal body weight or are slightly overweight. They often feel trapped in a vicious cycle in which they experience dining attacks, followed by feelings of guilt and control.

3. Binge-eating disorder

The binge-eating disorder is similar to bulimia nervosa, but without weight control. Those affected have regular eating attacks in which they consume large amounts of food in a short time, even though they are not hungry. You often feel out of control during these episodes and are ashamed of it. People with binge-eating disorder often have obesity or obesity and can develop various physical and psychological health problems.

signs and symptoms of eating disorders

The signs and symptoms of eating disorders can vary depending on the individual experience and type of eating disorder. Nevertheless, there are some frequently occurring signs that you should pay attention to:

1. Weight changes

A striking weight change can be an indication of an eating disorder. In anorexia nervosa, weight loss is obvious, while people with bulimia nervosa or binge-eating disorder often have weight fluctuations.

2. Eating behavior

People with eating disorders often have unusual eating habits. With anorexia nervosa, you avoid certain foods or only eat very small quantities. People with bulimia nervosa have eating and try to compensate for them by vomiting or other compensation mechanisms. Affected people from binge-eating disorders have regular dining attacks and often have the feeling that they lose control of their eating behavior.

3. Body image and self -awareness

Affected people of eating disorders often have a distorted perception of their own body. They see themselves as an overweight or have strong dissatisfaction with their appearance. This can lead to a strong urge to lose weight or control the weight.

4. Physical symptoms

Eating disorders also have physical effects on the body. Anorexia nervosa can lead to weakness, tiredness, cold extremities, hair loss and gastrointestinal problems. In Bulimia nervosa, tooth damage, inflammation of the esophagus or pancreas can occur, while people with binge-eating disorder have an increased risk of fatty liver, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

How to help

It is important to recognize eating disorders early on and offer help. Here are some options for how to help those affected:

1. Recognize and address

If you suspect that someone could have an eating disorder, it is important to be sensitive and supportive. You can search for the conversation and share your observations. Make sure not to confront or accuse the person concerned, but show empathy and enable them to speak openly about their feelings and experiences.

2. Find professional help

In most cases, eating disorder requires professional support. Encourage the person concerned to contact a doctor or psychologist who specializes in eating disorders. These experts can make a precise diagnosis and recommend a suitable treatment that often includes a combination of psychotherapy, nutritional advice and possibly medication.

3. Offer support nearby

It is important that those affected know that they are not alone and have support. Offer your help and be there for you. Listen to them, encourage them to talk about their feelings and support them in developing healthy coping mechanisms.

4. No pressure

It is important not to put people under pressure or to force them to change. An eating disorder is a complex illness that takes time and patience to recover. Show understanding and patience and support them on their way of recovery.

summary

Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses that require early detection and help. Anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder are the most common types of eating disorders that have different symptoms and effects. It is important to pay attention to signs such as weight changes, unusual eating behavior, distorted body image and physical symptoms. Support and professional help are crucial to help those affected to restore a healthy relationship with food and their own body.