Less Commonly Known Eating Disorders

There are many other eating disorders that are less commonly discussed. Here's a rundown on just a few of the less heard of eating disorders.

Pica
Pica is common, but very commonly unrecognized and is characterized by a compulsion to lick, chew, and ingest non-food items with no nutritional value. These non-food items can be almost anything, including wood, soap, grass, plaster, ice/snow, plastic, etc. The cravings that Pica induces can often (but not always) be linked with certain vitamin or mineral deficiences. Pica can be associated with mental retardation, social and developmental delays, as well as a family history or background of the disorder. Pica is common in pregnant women, but usually disappears after the birth of the baby. Due to the dangers of ingesting non-food items, it is important that someone afflicted with Pica get treatment for the disorder as soon as possible. Pica can lead to lead poisoning, malnutrition, abdominal problems, intestinal obstruction, hypokalemia, hyperkalemia, mercury poisoning, phosphorus intoxication, and dental injury.

Prader-Willi Syndrome
Prader-Willi Syndrome is present at birth, and is believed to be caused by a defect in genes, however is not believed to run in families. Children with Prader-Willi Syndrome generally have feeding problems early on, and commonly have growth delays as well as social and mental delays. Prader-Willi Syndrome is characterized by excessive hunger, so excessive that the individual is never not hungry. This insatiable hunger is caused by a defect in the hypothalamus, which regulates the whether or not the body feels hungry or full. Individuals with Prader-Willi Syndrome, may also experience unexplained fits of rage, sleeping disorders, psychosis, a high pain threshhold, and compulsive behaviors. It is important to seek treatment for someone afflicted with Prader-Willi Syndrome. If left untreated, Prader-Willi Syndrome can lead to abnormal growth, speech impairments, mental and physical growth delays, obesity, poor muscle tone, dental problems, stunted sexual development, obesity, and type two diabetes.

Night Eating Syndrome
Night Eating Syndrome is characterized by a lack of appetite in the morning, and a sudden, drastic increase in appetite at night. Night Eating Syndrome, like Prader-Willi Syndrome, is associated with a defect or injury to the hypothalamus. Individuals with Night Eating Syndrome are very commonly under a great deal of stress, and struggle with insomnia. Individuals who suffer from Night Eating Syndrome generally fast or eat very little in the morning, and afternoon. These individuals generally do not start eating until evening or night time, and tend to binge when they do eat. It is important to seek treatment for someone with Night Eating Syndrome, because the individuals suffering from it, are often under a great deal of stressed and more often than not, suffer from depression. Counseling may help the problem.

Sleep Eating Disorder (SED-NOS)
Sleep eating disorders are generally classified as sleep disorders, but are a combined eating/sleeping disorder. Individuals suffering from Sleep Eating Disorder are generally overweight and experience recurring episodes of sleepwalking and sleepeating. These individuals binge on large amounts of food while they are mentally unaware of what is going on around them. Most individuals with Sleep Eating Disorder do not remember binging. This puts them not only at risk for all of the problems associated with Compulsive Over Eating, but for unintentional self-injury. If you suspect that you or someone you know may have Sleep Eating Disorder, it is very important to seek help as soon as possible.

Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)
Body Dysmorphic Disorder is characterized by an obsession or pre-occupation with a real or imagined defect in an individual's visual appearance. Individuals suffering from Body Dysmorphic Disorder may obsess over minor imperfections (such as freckles, a mole, weight, scars, etc) to the point of severe depression and even suicide attempts. Individuals suffering from Body Dysmorphic Disorder generally have low self-esteem and are very fearful of rejection. Body Dysmorphic Disorder can be one of two types, the delusional type (in which imperfections are imagined or severely exaggerated) and the non-delusional type (in which the percieved imperfections are present.) Individuals with Body Dysmorphic Disorder may go through strange rituals, and obsessive rituals in order to "correct" or minimize the appearance of imperfections. Some sufferers take it to the point they attempt their own cosmetic surgery, or commit suicide. Treatment is very difficult for individuals suffering from Body Dysmorphic Disorder, but is very necessary if the person wishes to recover from the disorder.

Orthorexia Nervosa There are no clinical guidelines for a diagnosis of Orthorexia Nervosa, and it will not be diagnosed by most physicians. Orthorexia Nervosa is characterized by an obsession with the quality of food. The factors that influence the quality of the food range from nutritional value, to how the food is prepared, how clean the food is, or whether or not the food is organic. Individuals suffering from Orthorexia Nervosa tend to have strange or abnormal rituals regarding the preparation and ingestion of food. Individuals who are suffering from Orthorexia Nervosa commonly spend a great deal of time obsessing over food and having a "pure" diet to the point it has a negative impact on their daily life. Although it will usually not be diagnosed by a physician, it may be beneficial for an individual suffering from the disorder to seek help from a counselor.

Bigorexia
Bigorexia is not a condition that a physician will diagnose, but is characterized by an obsession with size. Individuals with Bigorexia are very concerned, to the point of obsession about the size of their muscles. Individuals with Bigorexia are very fearful of being considered small, and work very hard to keep their muscle tone up. This goes beyond the normal gym activity and body building. Individuals with Bigorexia are much more likely to abuse steroids and drugs in order to get bigger muscles. Individuals afflicted by Bigorexia are also at a higher risk for kidney failure due to the high protein diets followed by many body builders. Although Bigorexia won't be diagnosed by a physician, it can prove to be very beneficial for an individual suffering from Bigorexia to seek treatment from a counselor with experience in the field of eating disorders.