Basic facts about Eating Disorders

What are eating disorders?

Eating disorders are psychological problems with symptoms related to eating and weight. Although there are some differences of opinion regarding their cause, they are generally seen to be as a result of a combination of cultural, personal, environmental and family factors. Eating Disorders Association (UK) has more info on this topic.

General Warning Signs of eating disorders

• Excessive worrying about body image and weight
• Abnormal fear of weight gain
• Belief that being thin will solve all one's problems
• Excessive dieting
• Purging (getting rid of food by use of vomiting, laxatives, diuretics or exercise etc.)
• Binges, in which one eats an excessive amount of food, accompanied by a feeling of loss of control over eating
• Strict or excessive exercise regime
• Poor body image
• Letting food and eating overshadow all other activities

Anorexia

The anorexic's thoughts centre around being thin and the person may restrict the types and amount of food they eat, over-exercise, use appetite suppressants, make themselves vomit, use laxatives or anything else they can think of to achieve weight loss. Someone with anorexia will spend a large part of their day thinking about weight and counting calories, kilojoules, fat grams or carbohydrates. Anorexics feel a sense of control and power from being able to restrict their body weight and food intake and also experience intense fear of gaining weight and/or being perceived as fat. She/he also has a distorted body image which means that the individual sees themselves as fat even if their weight is normal or below normal. The person may also binge and/or purge from time to time. Anorexics typically resist maintaining a normal weight for their height and age. If you have any questions about anorexia, send an e-mail to info@recoveryspace.org.

Bulimia

The bulimic is trapped in a cycle of bingeing (eating a higher than normal quantity of food accompanied by feelings of loss of control), followed by purging to reduce the unpleasant feelings that accompany the binge and to prevent weight gain. Purging generally involves self-induced vomiting but can include use of laxatives, strict diets, vigorous exercise etc. Some bulimics may only binge and purge once in a while, while others will do so several times a day. Someone suffering from bulimia also has a pre-occupation with their weight and body shape. The bulimic is not necessarily underweight and may have a normal or above-normal weight with frequent fluctuations in weight. If you have any questions about bulimia, send an e-mail to info@recoveryspace.org

Other types of eating disorders

Not all eating disorders fit in to specific categories. Some people may fit in to both categories or not fully fit in to either. This is sometimes referred to by the long-winded title of "Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified".

Binge-eating disorder

Someone with binge-eating disorder experiences recurrent episodes of bingeing, accompanied by loss of control over eating. The binges occur without the use of inappropriate measures (such as purging) to control weight. The binge-eater feels distress about over-eating and is concerned about the effects of bingeing on his/her weight and body shape. For more information on this topic, take a look at the something-fishy website.

Compulsive Over-Exercising

Although this is not normally considered one of the major eating disorders, many of those in recovery from anorexia and bulimia turn to over-exercising to ease their feelings of discomfort about their bodies and to control their weight. The focus of exercise is mainly to get rid of fat or to burn calories, rather than to achieve a healthy body. Compulsive over-exercisers tend have a strict regime, and to experience discomfort if they aren't able to exercise.

Who suffers from eating disorders?

Eating disorders affect a wide range of people, regardless of gender, age or race. Although eating disorders more commonly occur in young women, men are affected too. Some people may also develop the disorder at a later age. Without effective treatment, eating disorders can continue into later life, with some people experiencing eating problems for most of their lives.

Recovery

Unfortunately, anorexia and bulimia don't just disappear by themselves. As those who've "been there" can testify, getting help in the form of therapy or treatment at an ED centre followed by ongoing therapy is essential for lasting change. Check out the treatment resources section of this site for a list of therapists and treatment centres in South Africa. Recovery is about more than just gaining weight or breaking the binge/purge cycle. It's about discovering why those behaviours are there and understanding where they come from. Overcoming eating disorders takes time (often over years) and involves hard work.

Relapse Prevention

Relapsing into eating disorder behaviours is a common problem during recovery. Relapses can be very disturbing and upsetting, but they are a part of the process. Recovery is a slow and gradual process, so don't expect it all to be perfect, first time. If you do find yourself in the middle of a relapse, or wanting to relapse, there are things you can do.

• Remind yourself that recovery takes time, and that slips are normal. Don't be too harsh on yourself.
• Write a list of all the reasons you don't want your eating disorder around. For example, it may be because you enjoy not feeling cold or tired all the time, or because you can do something that's important to you, or keep up with friends. This can help to keep you focused on the reasons for your recovery.
• Talk to someone about the way you're feeling. If you are seeing a therapist, then talk to him or her. If there's no one you can speak to, try an online ED forum.
• Take some time out and try to work out what has triggered the relapse and how else you could deal with the situation. What is this really all about?
• If you know you are going to face something difficult, make a plan of what you'll do or how you'll cope.
• Get the help you need. If you're not getting treatment but you're still battling with your ED, effective therapy can make an enormous difference in reducing relapses and speeding up your recovery. Even if you're not sure you can afford it, some therapists charge lower rates, government facilities may be affordable, or universities may offer treatment.
• Do things that you find enjoyable: go for a walk, watch a favourite movie, take a bubble bath or read a good book.