What is an Eating Disorder?

As an individual who has experienced eating disorders first hand in the form of my own eating disorder as well as later treating others for their eating disorder, I felt obligated to write this article on eating disorders. This information is based on my experience and written in my own words.

Eating disorders come in many forms. However, they all have a couple of things in common. Any disorder is classified so because it impairs one's ability to function in a healthy manner. Eating disorders specifically deal with any disorder whose behavior is classified by a disruption in the eating pattern. This can take several forms including purging, overeating, excessive fasting, and the consumption of objects that would not normally be consumed.

People tend to think that eating disorders are all about weight loss and self esteem issues. While these are often common issues involved with eating disorders, they are not always the biggest issues. As with many disorders, eating disorders are often about lack of control. Eating is a personal issue that can be controlled by the individual. Thus many times food may not be the issue at all, but just a symptom of a more acute problem.

This list offers a brief in depth look at some of the signs of an eating disorder.

Change in appearance such as weight loss or gain and altered fashion habits. Obviously the change in weight loss is due to the change in diet. The change in what people wear is often an indication of a change of self, whether it be a withdrawal and therefore an appearance of "blending in" or a more promiscuous form of dress.

Change in physical aspects such as hair, nails, teeth and skin. The change in diet will cause the body to adjust. A lack of vitamins will eventually cause hair and nails to be brittle and frail. In the instance of bulimia, the stomach acid from constant purging causes a destruction of the enamel on the teeth. Anorexia causes a deficiency in the teeth and gums so that the gums sometimes withdraw from the teeth.

Withdrawal and secrecy. Those with eating disorders tend to want to be secretive about a minimum of their eating habits. That is to say, their eating habits probably only the only secrets they are carrying.

Developments of other obsessions. As eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia tend to stem from a lack of control and self esteem, those with the eating disorders may seek control in other areas and be very rigid in their behavior patterns. For example, they may feel the need to constantly clean themselves, parts of themselves or their environment.

Eating disorders can carry heavy consequences such as damage to the digestive system resulting in surgery and sometimes even death. The ironic thing about eating disorders is that while they offer the illusion of control in which the individual can see results of their behavior such as weight loss, they ultimately result in the complete loss of control as the body becomes used to certain patterns. This can disrupt learning habits, life skills, mental and physical well being and create unhealthy habits that can last a life time.

References:National Library of Medicine