Help for eating disorders is available in many different forms, and it caters to all types of eating problems. An eating problem is a defined as a psychological disorder that is characterized by abnormal eating habits. Anorexia nervosa, binge-eating disorder and bulimia nervosa are the different types of eating problems.
Types of Eating Disorders
Anorexia nervosa is a disorder that primarily affects women who are between the ages of 12 and 20. People who have this disorder are obsessed with staying thin, and they are extremely afraid of gaining weight.
They may starve themselves, exercise excessively, and vomit or take laxatives to get rid of the little bit of food that they do eat. It is important to seek help for eating problems like anorexia nervosa before they take a dangerous toll on your body.
Bulimia nervosa is a disorder characterized by binging and purging. People with this disorder eat a large amount of food, and may not always seek help for eating disorders. In fact, a person with bulimia may eat as many as 3,000 calories during one sitting. The act of taking in this much food is known as binging.
After a person finishes eating, he or she frantically attempts to get rid of the food that he or she has eaten. Bulimics may throw up, take laxatives or exercise excessively. Unlike anorexics, bulimics typically are not underweight, which is why this disorder may be hard to notice.
Binge-eating is a disorder that occurs when a person frequently eats an unusually large amount of food. Binge-eaters do not attempt to get rid of the food that they have eaten. That is why they are prone to extreme weight gain.
The Importance of Getting Help for Eating Disorders
There are a number of physical complications that can result if people do not get help for eating disorders. Anorexics may exhibit low blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, severe tooth decay, bone loss, and digestive problems. Bulimics may develop sores in the mouth, irregular heartbeat, and abnormal bowel function. Obesity and high blood pressure can result from binge eating. It is important to note that all three of these disorders can result in death if they are not treated.
Treatment
There are several options available for people who need help for eating issues. The specific treatment that is prescribed is contingent upon the type of disorder that one has. Behavioral therapy is an important part of most treatment programs, regardless of the type of eating disorder.
This treatment focuses on helping individuals replace self-destructive behaviors with healthy, sustainable patterns of behavior. Patients who are severely ill may need to be admitted to a hospital in order to regulate their blood sugar.
If you or a loved one in your life is suffering from an eating issue or exhibits symptoms that prevent them from living a healthy, productive life, it may be time to seek help for eating disorders from a professional mental health center.
Ben Brafman, LMHC, CAP is the President and CEO of Sylvia Brafman Mental Health Center, a licensed mental Health treatment center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Ben has more than 20 years of experience in the addiction and mental health fields, which led him to develop a combination of innovative treatment protocols at The Sylvia Brafman Mental Health Center.
He has been published on various topics including dual diagnosis and chemical dependency, and gives back to the community by educating other addiction counselors at his Academy for Addiction Professionals.
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