Perhaps the best place to start in treating or diagnosing an eating disorder is to first recognize and understand the problem. Below we have defined eating disorders, listed a few common warning signs, related health dangers, and finally, a brief quiz to help you measure any present indicators of an eating disorder.
Eating Disorders Defined
ANOREXIA NERVOSA
Anorectics restrict their caloric intake for long periods of time and deliberately starve themselves, resulting in loss of body weight of at least 15 percent. Weight loss is achieved by avoiding food, frenzied exercise, vomiting, laxatives and other means. An intense fear of becoming obese as well as distorted body image are other characteristics of anorexia nervosa.
BULIMIA NERVOSA
A cyclic pattern of binge eating associated with some type of purging describes Bulimia Nervosa. The purging takes on several different forms: fasting, self-induced vomiting, excessive exercising, or use of cathartics or diuretics.
Note: Bulimia Nervosa and Anorexia Nervosa are often present together. These
disorders are prevalent among women, especially between the ages of 12 and
30. One in 150 females suffer from Anorexia Nervosa, and recent studies on
college campuses show that almost 20 percent of college females have Bulimia
Nervosa.
Engaging in an Eating Disorder Can Be Hazardous to Your Health!
Eating disorders can be extremely dangerous. Serious medical complications have been noted in connection with Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa. Sore throat and painless swelling of the cheeks have been found in individuals who vomit frequently. In addition, tooth decay, loss of enamel and gum disease are common in eating disorder victims who vomit.
In serious cases the body suffers from heart & kidney damage, stomach ruptures, urinary infections and osteoporosis (the thinning of bones).
Finally, menstrual irregularities and difficulties are also common in women with eating disorders.
How Does an Eating Disorder Develop?
Most researchers agree that eating disorders are an expression for unresolved psychological conflict. The psychological conflict an individual is experiencing may be a result of traumatic life experiences such as physical or sexual abuse or any other life experiences that leave the individual feeling flawed and defective.
Eating Disorders are a Form of Substance Abuse.
Eating-disorders are a form of substance abuse and individuals who struggle with an eating disorder appear to go through similar addictive cycles as those who suffer with alcohol and other forms of drug abuse. The obsession with food and dieting often become a way in which eating disorder victims can alleviate inner distress. In other words, their eating disorder becomes a diversion from negative thoughts or negative life experiences. By subordinating their actions to the goal of weight loss, victims believe (consciously or unconsciously) that they can bring structure and meaning to a world that they feel otherwise to be chaotic and beyond their control. Ironically, by pouring their talents and energies into dieting, some eating-disorder victims do become totally out of control.
Article written by: By Harold A. Frost, PhD.
QUESTIONNAIRE: INDICATIONS OF AN EATING DISORDER
The following questionnaire will give you an indication
of whether or not you are living a lifestyle that indicates anorexic and/or bulimic
tendencies. Answer the following questions honestly. Write the number of your
answer in the space at the left.
___ 1. I have eating habits that are different from those of my family and friends. 1) Often 2) Sometimes 3) Rarely 4) Never
___ 2. I find myself panicking if I cannot exercise as I had planned for fear of gaining weight. 1) Almost always 2) Sometimes 3) Rarely 4) Never
___ 3. My friends tell me I am thin but I don’t believe them because I feel fat. 1) Often 2) Sometimes 3) Rarely 4) Never
___ 4. (Females only) My menstrual period has ceased or become irregular due to no known medical reasons. 1) True 2) False
___ 5. I have become obsessed with food to the point that I cannot go through a day without worrying about what I will or will not eat. 1) Often 2) Sometimes 3) Rarely 4) Never
___ 6. I have lost more than 15 percent of the normal weight for my height (e.g., 30 lbs, from 120 lbs.) 1) True 2) False
___ 7. I would panic if I got on the scale tomorrow and found out I had gained two pounds. 1) Almost Always 2) Sometimes 3) Rarely 4) Never
___ 8. I find that I prefer to eat alone or when I am sure no one will see me, thus I am making excuses so I can eat less and less with friends. 1) Often 2) Sometimes 3) Rarely 4) Never
___ 9. I find myself going on uncontrollable eating binges during which I consume large amounts of food to the point that I feel sick and make myself vomit. 1) 3 or more times per day 2) 1-2 times per day 3) 1-2 times per week 4) Rarely 5) Never
___ 10. I use laxatives as a means of weight control. 1) On a regular basis 2) Sometimes 3) Rarely 4) Never
___ 11. I find myself playing games with food (e.g. cutting it up into tiny pieces, hiding food so people will think I ate it, chewing it and spitting it out without swallowing) telling myself certain foods are bad. 1) Often 2) Sometimes 3) Rarely 4) Never
___ 12. People around me have become very interested in what I eat and I find myself getting angry at them for pushing food on me. 1) Often 2) Sometimes 3) Rarely 4) Never
___ 13. I have felt more depressed and irritable recently than I used to and/or have been spending increasing amounts of time alone. 1) True 2) False
___14. I keep a lot of my fears about food and eating to myself because I am afraid no one would understand. 1) Often 2) Sometimes 3) Rarely 4) Never
___ 15. I enjoy making gourmet, high-calorie meals or treats for others as long as I don’t have to eat any myself. 1) Often 2) Sometimes 3) Rarely 4) Never
___ 16. The most powerful fear in my life is the fear of gaining weight or becoming fat. 1) Often 2) Sometimes 3) Rarely 4) Never
___ 17. I find myself totally absorbed when reading books about dieting, exercising, and calorie counting to the point that I spend hours studying them. 1) Often 2) Sometimes 3) Rarely 4) Never
___ 18. I tend to be a perfectionist and am not satisfied with myself unless I do things perfectly. 1) Almost always 2) Sometimes 3) Rarely 4) Never
___ 19. I go through long periods of time without eating anything (fasting) as a means of weight control. 1) Often 2) Sometimes 3) Rarely 4) Never
___ 20. It is important to me to try to be thinner than all of my friends. 1) Almost always 2) Sometimes 3) Rarely 4) Never
Add your scores together and compare with the table below: Under 30
Strong tendencies toward anorexia nervosa
30-45
Strong tendencies toward bulimia
45-55
Weight conscious, not necessarily with anorexic or bulimic tendencies
Over 55
No need for concern
If you scored below 45, it would be wise for you to seek out some kind of help or assistance.
Used with the permission of K. Kim Lampson.
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