EEating disorders are serious mental and physical illnesses that involve complex and damaging relationships with food, eating, exercise, and body image. Between 1.25and 3.4 million people in the UK are affected by an eating disorder. Around 25% of those affected by an eating disorder are male. Most eating disorders develop during adolescence, although there are cases of eating disorders developing in children as young as six and in adults in their 70s.
Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia is one type of eating disorder and a serious mental health condition. People who suffer from the disorder try to maintain their weight as low as possible. To achieve that they either consume too little food or exercise excessively and in some cases both. As a result, they get very sick as they starve themselves. People with anorexia have a distorted image of themselves, they think that they are overweight when in fact they are underweight. The disorder can affect both genders, but it is more prevalent in women and the onset is usually during adolescence. Although, recent studies have shown that it can start in young children and older adults. Some symptoms of the disorders are fatigue, constipation, extreme weight loss, thinning hair, dry skin, and abdominal issues.
Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia is another serious eating disorder; it can potentially be life-threatening. People with bulimia go through a cycle of binge eating and recurrent inappropriate compensatory behaviour, such as self-induced vomiting, excessive exercise, and use of laxatives. Same with anorexia, people with the disorder have a negative image about their body and are afraid of putting on weight. Though the symptoms are different as people with bulimia eat large amount of food but then make themselves sick to avoid gaining weight. Bulimia has negative impacts on the physical health as the continuous cycle of binging and purging can cause serious problems to the digestive system as well as other important organs like the heart.
Binge Eating Disorder (BED)
Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is characterised by episodes of binge eating, in a short period of time, up to the point where you feel uncomfortably full. People with BED are unable to stop eating even if they want to. Some of the symptoms include, eating even if not hungry, eating very fast, secretly and feeling depressed, guilty, and ashamed after bingeing. BED can also cause serious health problems and is usually associated with clinical obesity. Though, BED can be diagnosed even for people who are not clinically obese.
PICA
Pica is an eating disorder that is characterised by eating items that are not typically considered of as food and that do not contain significant nutritional value, such as hair, dirt, and paint chips. Although, it is not very clear of why people develop the disorder, several studies suggest that it is linked to the nervous system it is considered as a learned behaviour or coping mechanism. Pica is more likely to occur along side other health and mental health conditions, such as pregnancy, iron deficiency, autism, depression, OCD, and schizophrenia.
Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)
Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is a relatively new disorder added to the DSM-5. Similar to anorexia, ARFID is characterised by limitations in the amount of food and type of food consumed. However, people with do not have a distorted image about themselves and are not worried about gaining wait. ARFID can cause serious health problems as people with the disorder do not take the essential nutrients that the body needs to function properly.
Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED)
Other Specified Feeding or eating disorder (OSFED), is a serious eating disorder and it can be life threatening. Even though, people with OSFED do not fully meet the criteria for a diagnosis of anorexia and bulimia, the disorder is quite serious, and it can cause health problems. The health impact of OSFED depend on the eating behaviours that someone exhibits, though it should not be trivialised and overlooked.
Unspecified Feeding or Eating Disorder (UFED)
Unspecified feeding or eating disorder (UFED) is characterised by symptoms of a feeding and eating disorder that cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas in your life but do not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of the other eating disorders.
It can be scary and challenging to live with an eating disorder, as you may often feel misunderstood. But there are ways to help yourself cope, and if needed, to reach out for support. You are very brave and help is here whenever you are ready. We have listed some numbers below of helplines, because you matter.
Anorexia and Bulimia Care (ABC)
03000 11 12 13
anorexiabulimiacare.org.uk
Advice and support for anyone affected by eating problems.
Association for Family Therapy and Systemic Practice (AFT)
aft.org.uk
Information about family therapy, including a directory of therapists.
Beat
0808 801 0677 (adult helpline)
0808 801 0711 (youth line)
0808 801 0811 (student line)
beateatingdisorders.org.uk
Offers information and advice on eating disorders and runs a supportive
online community.