If you’ve never experienced an eating disorder first hand and don’t know much about them, you might have a presumption that eating disorders mean a skinny or malnourished person. The truth is, eating disorders come in many shapes and forms, and for many reasons. It’s also important to note that it can be difficult, even with a loved one, to recognize the signs of an eating disorder if you don’t fully understand all the conditions.
What is an Eating Disorder?
Eating disorders are behavioral conditions that result in an unhealthy relationship with food. This can either be restricting yourself from food, such as with anorexia, purging yourself of food, like with bulimia, or being unable to control your eating habits to an excessive level, like with binge eating.
Eating disorders extend beyond a direct relationship with food, as they also include severe emotional and psychological distress in relation to thoughts about food, and anxiety about eating.
As eating is a task undertaken several times a day, every day, a person suffering from an eating disorder may usually be in a state of constant anxiety or distress, in many different situations.
What Causes an Eating Disorder?
It can be difficult to pinpoint an exact reason for eating disorders, as this can be different for every person, and can depend on environment and upbringing. It’s common for eating disorders to be related to mental illness, however. A person with an unhealthy relationship with their mind and body may turn to binge-eating or anorexia to try and control their self-image, for example, through no fault of their own. Or, they may just find it difficult to stop eating, or have no appetite at all.
There can be other reasons, such as genetic or family impact and the social situation around a person.
However, being an underfed or skinny person doesn’t automatically mean you have an eating disorder like anorexia. There could be other causes or medical conditions causing difficulty eating or an unhealthy relationship with food. The condition dysphagia results in difficulty swallowing or being able to keep food down, which could lead to being malnourished, as opposed to the eating disorder anorexia. Solutions do exist for people with swallowing difficulties, like SimplyThick, or for people with eating disorders, so it’s always important to address an eating issue for the good of your health (or the health of someone you know).
What Can You Do to Treat an Eating Disorder?
If you, or anyone you know, is suffering with an eating disorder, the first step is not to ignore it. It’s sometimes natural for those with an eating disorder to try and hide it. Treatment for an eating disorder can depend on which condition is presenting, and your own situation. Usually, treatment will begin for the psychological side of things, such as mental health therapy and support.
You may also need medical intervention, such as certain treatments or procedures that can maintain your body’s intake of nutrients, food and vitamins. You may also need specialized assistance with meal preparation, such as advice from a nutritionist.
What’s vital is that you seek help for any eating disorder, and know that help is always available.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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