Samantha recently shared her story about it living with misophonia and earlier Esther spoke openly about what it’s like Living with ARFID. Both have severe eating limitations, the second has been officially diagnosed with an eating disorder. I had heard of anorexia, bulimia and ARFID before – the first two are particularly familiar – but pica and rumination disorder? I didn’t know this existed and the same goes for other eating disorders in this article. Time for an overview of the most common types of eating disorders, their main symptoms, causes and treatments.
It is estimated that around 200,000 people in the Netherlands suffer from an eating disorder every year. Eating disorders can develop at any age, but anorexia and bulimia in particular often begin during childhood. Eating disorders are complex conditions and not all of the disorders listed below are included in DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders – the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders). Although not enough is known about these eating disorders, they should definitely be taken into account. Especially since early intervention can lead to better outcomes.
1. Anorexia nervosa
This is one of the most famous and worst eating disorders. People with anorexia are very afraid of gaining weight, even if they are overweight. They eat little to nothing, which leads to severe weight loss and sometimes even death. It is a misconception that this only affects (young) women. There are also boys with anorexia.
- Signs:
- Extreme weight loss
- There is a great fear of gaining weight
- Distorted body image
- Exercise too much
- Disruption of the menstrual cycle in women
- Reasons:
- Often a combination of genetic, biological, psychological and environmental factors.
- Handling:
- A combination of psychotherapy (such as cognitive behavioral therapy), nutritional advice and sometimes medication.
2. Bulimia nervosa
Bulimia is characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating, followed by vomiting, fasting, or extreme exercise to prevent weight gain.
- Signs:
- Frequent episodes of binge eating
- Feeling out of control when you overeat
- Repeated vomiting and/or use of laxatives
- Fear of weight gain
- Change in body weight
- Reasons:
- Often a combination of psychological factors such as low self-esteem and social pressure to be thin.
- Handling:
- Psychotherapy (especially cognitive behavioral therapy), nutritional advice and sometimes non-poverty.
3. Binge Eating Disorder (BED)
In Dutch: binge eating disorder. This is the most common eating disorder and is characterized by repeated binge eating, but not vomiting afterwards. People with BED often eat large amounts quickly, even when they are not hungry, and then feel guilty or ashamed.
- Signs:
- Binge eating at least once a week for three months or longer
- Eating until you feel unpleasantly full
- Eating in secret because of shame
- Feelings of guilt or disgust after eating
- Reasons:
- Often a combination of genetic factors, psychological problems such as depression and anxiety, and negative emotions such as stress.
- Handling:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy and sometimes medication such as antidepressants or anti-obesity drugs.
4. Orthorexia nervosa (not included in DSM)
People with orthorexia are very focused on healthy eating. Unlike anorexia, it is not primarily about wanting to lose weight, but about wanting to live an extremely healthy life. Although everyone emphasizes the importance of healthy food, people who have orthorexia are so worried that it could lead to malnutrition and worse. Eating only raw fruits and vegetables meant the end of her life for Zhanna: she died of hunger.
- Signs:
- Obsessive focus on healthy eating and nutrition
- Avoiding foods that are not considered pure
- Fear or guilt about eating unhealthy foods (although not necessarily unhealthy)
- Reasons:
- Often associated with perfectionism, anxiety disorders and a desire for control.
- Handling:
- psychotherapy, with an emphasis on letting go of rigid eating patterns and developing a healthier relationship with food.
5. ARFID (Restrictive/avoidant eating disorder)
This is an eating disorder in which a person restricts eating due to a lack of interest in food, fear of the consequences of eating (such as choking), or an aversion to certain tastes, smells, textures, or even colors.
- Signs:
- Avoiding certain foods or food groups
- Improper nutritional intake
- Weight loss or insufficient weight loss in children
- Lack of interest in food or extreme pickiness
- Reasons:
- It can be caused by negative experiences with food, such as choking, or due to sensory sensitivity.
- Handling:
- Behavioral therapy, nutritional advice and, if necessary, medication to deal with fear or sensory issues.
6. Pica
With this eating disorder, people eat inedible things, such as dirt, chalk, clay or paper. Pica is considered very annoying and can be dangerous to your health.
- Signs:
- Eating foods that cannot be eaten again for a period of at least a month
- Risk of poisoning, infections or intestinal problems
- Reasons:
- Often associated with malnutrition, deficiencies in minerals such as iron or zinc, or mental conditions.
- Handling:
- Medical intervention to correct nutritional deficiencies, and psychotherapy to address underlying causes.
7. Rumination disorder
This eating disorder is characterized by repeated regurgitation of food, which is then chewed, swallowed or spit out. Independent behavior that can lead to malnutrition and weight loss.
- Signs:
- Recurring food cravings without an underlying medical reason
- Unexpected weight loss
- Possible damage to tooth enamel or oral cavity
- Reasons:
- Often associated with developmental disorders, stress or trauma.
- Handling:
- Behavioral therapy and nutritional counseling to reduce rumination and promote healthy eating patterns.
8. OSFED (Eating or other specific eating disorder)
With this eating disorder – in Dutch: NAO (Not Otherwise) – a person has symptoms of anorexia, bulimia and/or binge eating disorder, but does not meet the criteria for these three eating disorders fully accomplished. The causes and treatment will also be a combination of those for anorexia, bulimia and/or binge eating disorder.
9. Bigorexia nervosa (not included in DSM)
This eating disorder is called muscle dysmorphia or reverse anorexia. Someone with bigorexia feels like they don’t have too much muscle (and too much fat) and therefore suddenly focus on exercise. Despite being often already muscular, people with bigorexia see themselves as too thin or not muscular enough. This situation falls under the broad category of Body dysmorphic disorders (BDD), arises from a disturbed body image and occurs mostly in men. This eating disorder is related to Anorexia athletica; People with anorexia athletica exercise too much, panic if they don’t exercise and constantly count how many calories they burn during exercise.
- Signs:
- Obsessive focus on muscle growth
- Dissatisfied with your own body image
- Excessive use of supplements and steroids
- Reasons:
- Often associated with perfectionistic tendencies and low self-esteem
- Traumatic experiences (eg bullying)
- Pressure from society to look perfect
- Handling:
- Behavior therapy and psychotherapy to address underlying causes.
10. Night eating syndrome (NES) (not included in DSM)
With this eating disorder, most of the eating happens in the evening or at night. This does not include overeating, it is eaten at a normal pace. This is often accompanied by sleep problems.
- Signs:
- Eating too much at night
- Sleep problems
- Weight gain
- Reasons:
- Possible abnormalities in the biological clock that regulates appetite and sleep patterns and disrupts hormone balance
- Stress, anxiety and depression
- Irregular working hours, such as night shifts, can also contribute to disturbed eating patterns and the development of NES.
- Handling:
- Behavioral therapy and nutritional counseling and psychotherapy to address underlying causes.
Read also:
Sources: my.clevelandclinic.org, Nutrition Center, naeweb.nl stichtingkiem.nl, eetstoornissen.nl
2024-08-25 19:26:27
#Eating #Disorders
