{"id":1749,"date":"2010-07-27T14:50:01","date_gmt":"2010-07-27T14:50:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.freedomfrommedom.com\/wp3\/?page_id=1749"},"modified":"2015-02-05T04:49:22","modified_gmt":"2015-02-05T04:49:22","slug":"food-addiction","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.freedomfrommedom.com\/wp3\/food-addiction","title":{"rendered":"Eating Disorders"},"content":{"rendered":"<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #ffcc99;\"><a class=\"wp-oembed\" style=\"color: #ffcc99;\" title=\"Go to Anorexia\" href=\"http:\/\/www.freedomfrommedom.com\/wp3\/?page_id=1755\" target=\"_self\">Anorexia<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #ffcc99;\"><a class=\"wp-oembed\" style=\"color: #ffcc99;\" title=\"Go to Bulimia\" href=\"http:\/\/www.freedomfrommedom.com\/wp3\/?page_id=1759\" target=\"_self\">Bulimia<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #ffcc99;\"><a class=\"wp-oembed\" style=\"color: #ffcc99;\" title=\"Go to Binge-eating page\" href=\"http:\/\/www.freedomfrommedom.com\/wp3\/binge-eating-disorder\" target=\"_self\">Binge-eating<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><object width=\"480\" height=\"385\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http:\/\/download.macromedia.com\/pub\/shockwave\/cabs\/flash\/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\" \/><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" \/><param name=\"src\" value=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/v\/O6leDs9rqw0?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" \/><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" \/><\/object><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\"><strong><em>What Are Eating Disorders?<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Eating disorders frequently appear during adolescence or young adulthood, but some reports indicate that they can develop during childhood or later in adulthood. Women and girls are much more likely than males to develop an eating disorder. Men and boys account for an estimated 5 to 15 percent of patients with anorexia or bulimia and an estimated 35 percent of those with binge-eating disorder. Eating disorders are real, treatable medical illnesses with complex underlying psychological and biological causes. They frequently co-exist with other psychiatric disorders such as depression, substance abuse, or anxiety disorders. People with eating disorders also can suffer from numerous other physical health complications, such as heart conditions or kidney failure, which can lead to death.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Eating disorders are a group of serious conditions in which you&#8217;re so preoccupied with food and weight that you can often focus on little else. The main types of eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Eating disorders can cause serious physical problems, and at their most severe can even be life-threatening. Most people with eating disorders are females, but males can also have eating disorders. An exception is binge-eating disorder, which appears to affect almost as many males as females.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Treatments for eating disorders usually involve psychotherapy, nutrition education, family counseling, medications and hospitalization.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #c49e68;\">By Mayo Clinic staff<\/span><\/h3>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Symptoms<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">The signs and symptoms of eating disorders vary with the particular type of eating disorder.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\"><strong>Anorexia Nervosa<br \/>\n<\/strong>In the case of anorexia nervosa, one is obsessed with food and being thin, sometimes to the point of deadly self-starvation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Anorexia signs and symptoms may include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Refusing to eat and denying hunger<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">An intense fear of gaining weight<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Negative or distorted self-image<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Excessively exercising<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Flat mood or lack of emotion<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Preoccupation with food<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Social withdrawal<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Thin appearance<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Dizziness or fainting<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Soft, downy hair present on the body (lanugo)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Menstrual irregularities or loss of menstruation (amenorrhea)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Constipation<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Abdominal pain<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Dry skin<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Frequently being cold<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Irregular heart rhythms<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Low blood pressure<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Dehydration<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\"><strong>Bulimia Nervosa<br \/>\n<\/strong>In the case of bulimia, one has episodes of binging and purging. During these episodes, you typically eat a large amount of food in a short duration and then try to rid yourself of the extra calories by vomiting or excessive exercise. You actually may be at a normal weight or even a bit overweight.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Bulimia signs and symptoms may include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Eating until the point of discomfort or pain, often with high-fat or sweet foods<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Self-induced vomiting<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Laxative use<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Excessively exercising<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Unhealthy focus on body shape and weight<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Having a distorted, excessively negative body image<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Going to the bathroom after eating or during meals<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Feeling that you can&#8217;t control your eating behavior<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Abnormal bowel functioning<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Damaged teeth and gums<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Swollen salivary glands in the cheeks<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Sores in the throat and mouth<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Dehydration<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Irregular heartbeat<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Sores, scars or calluses on the knuckles or hands<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Menstrual irregularities or loss of menstruation (amenorrhea)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Constant dieting or fasting<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Possibly, drug or alcohol abuse<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\"><strong>Binge-eating disorder<br \/>\n<\/strong>In the case of binge-eating disorder, one regularly eats excessive amounts of food (binge). You may eat when you&#8217;re not hungry and continue eating even long after you&#8217;re uncomfortably full. After a binge, you may try to diet or eat normal meals, triggering a new round of binging. You may be a normal weight, overweight or obese.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Symptoms of binge-eating disorder may include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Eating to the point of discomfort or pain<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Eating much more food during a binge episode than during a normal meal or snack<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Eating faster during binge episodes<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Feeling that your eating behavior is out of control<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Frequently eating alone<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Feeling depressed, disgusted or upset over the amount eaten<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\"><strong>When to see a doctor<br \/>\n<\/strong>Because of its powerful pull, an eating disorder can be difficult to manage or overcome by yourself. Eating disorders can virtually take over your life. You may think about food all the time, spend hours agonizing over what to eat, and exercise to exhaustion. You may feel ashamed, sad, hopeless, drained, irritable and anxious. You may also have a host of physical problems because of your eating disorder, such as irregular heartbeats, fatigue, bowel troubles and dizziness. If you&#8217;re experiencing any of these problems, or if you think you may have an eating disorder, seek medical help.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\"><strong>Urging a loved one to seek treatment<br \/>\n<\/strong>Unfortunately, many people with eating disorders resist treatment. If you have a loved one you&#8217;re worried about, urge him or her to talk to a doctor. Even if your loved one isn&#8217;t ready to acknowledge having an issue with food, you may be able to open the door by expressing concern and a desire to listen. You may also want to consider contacting your child&#8217;s doctor about your concerns. You can get a referral to qualified mental health providers for treatment.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Keep in mind, however, that in children it&#8217;s sometimes hard to tell what&#8217;s an eating disorder and what&#8217;s simply a whim, a new fad, or experimentation with a vegetarian diet or other eating styles. In addition, many girls and sometimes boys go on diets to lose weight, but stop dieting after a short time. If you&#8217;re a parent or guardian, be careful not to mistake occasional dieting with an eating disorder. On the other hand, be alert for eating patterns and beliefs that may signal unhealthy behavior, as well as peer pressure that may trigger eating disorders.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Red flags that family and friends may notice include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Skipping meals<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Making excuses for not eating<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Eating only a few certain &#8220;safe&#8221; foods, usually those low in fat and calories<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Adopting rigid meal or eating rituals, such as cutting food into tiny pieces or spitting food out after chewing<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Cooking elaborate meals for others, but refusing to eat them themselves<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Withdrawing from normal social activities<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Persistent worry or complaining about being fat<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">A distorted body image, such as complaining about being fat despite being underweight<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Not wanting to eat in public<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Frequent checking in the mirror for perceived flaws<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Wearing baggy or layered clothing<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Repeatedly eating large amounts of sweet or high-fat foods<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Use of dietary supplements or herbal products for weight loss<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Causes<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">The exact cause of eating disorders is unknown. As with other mental illnesses, there may be many causes. Possible causes of eating disorders include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\"><strong>Biology.<\/strong> There may be genes that make certain people more vulnerable to developing eating disorders. People with first-degree relatives \u2014 siblings or parents \u2014 with an eating disorder may be more likely to develop an eating disorder too, suggesting a possible genetic link. In addition, there&#8217;s some evidence that serotonin, a naturally occurring brain chemical, may influence eating behaviors.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\"><strong>Psychological and emotional health.<\/strong> People with eating disorders may have psychological and emotional problems that contribute to the disorder. They may have low self-esteem, perfectionism, impulsive behavior, anger management difficulties, family conflicts and troubled relationships.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\"><strong>Society.<\/strong> The modern Western cultural environment often cultivates and reinforces a desire for thinness. Success and worth are often equated with being thin in popular culture. Peer pressure and what people see in the media may fuel this desire to be thin, particularly among young girls.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Complications<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Eating disorders cause a wide variety of complications, some of them life-threatening. The more severe or long lasting the eating disorder, the more likely you are to experience serious complications. Complications may include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Death<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Heart disease<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Depression<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Suicidal thoughts or behavior<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Absence of menstruation (amenorrhea)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Bone loss<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Stunted growth<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Seizures<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Digestive problems<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Bowel irregularities<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Kidney damage<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Severe tooth decay<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">High or low blood pressure<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Type 2 diabetes<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #e3d59d;\">Gallbladder disease<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><\/h3>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Anorexia Bulimia Binge-eating What Are Eating Disorders? Eating disorders frequently appear during adolescence or young adulthood, but some reports indicate that they can develop during childhood or later in adulthood. Women and girls are much more likely than males to &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomfrommedom.com\/wp3\/food-addiction\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1749","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomfrommedom.com\/wp3\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1749","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomfrommedom.com\/wp3\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomfrommedom.com\/wp3\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomfrommedom.com\/wp3\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomfrommedom.com\/wp3\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1749"}],"version-history":[{"count":26,"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomfrommedom.com\/wp3\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1749\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25541,"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomfrommedom.com\/wp3\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1749\/revisions\/25541"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomfrommedom.com\/wp3\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1749"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}