Eating Disorders
An eating disorder is a serious mental health condition characterised by abnormal eating behaviours that negatively affect physical or mental health. These behaviors can include eating too much or too little food, extreme preoccupation with weight or body shape, and distorted body image. Eating disorders are not lifestyle choices but complex psychological and medical conditions involving severe disturbances in eating behaviors, emotions, and thoughts about food and body image. They can be life-threatening and are associated with significant physical and psychological complications.
Common types of eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder, avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), pica, rumination disorder, and other specified feeding or eating disorders (OSFED).
Anorexia nervosa involves severe food restriction and an intense fear of gaining weight, often leading to dangerously low body weight.
Bulimia nervosa is marked by cycles of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors such as purging, fasting, or excessive exercise.
Binge-eating disorder involves recurrent episodes of consuming large amounts of food rapidly, often to the point of discomfort, accompanied by feelings of guilt or shame.
Eating disorders can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, or body size. They often develop during adolescence or young adulthood but can occur at any life stage. The exact causes are unknown but involve a complex interaction of genetic, biological, psychological, and social factors.
Risk factors include a history of trauma, bullying, social media influence, and certain professions like dancing or gymnastics. These disorders frequently co-occur with other mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, or substance use disorders.
Treatment is available and typically involves a multidisciplinary approach including psychotherapy, medical monitoring, nutritional counselling, and sometimes medication. Recovery is possible with appropriate support and care. The mortality rate for eating disorders is significantly higher than for the general population, with anorexia nervosa having the highest death rate of any psychiatric disorder.