When most people hear of someone with an eating disorder like anorexia or bulimia, they almost always automatically assume the person has a problem with food. Eating disorders are not a sign that a person has a problem with food, though; rather, an eating disorder is actually only a symptom of underlying problems in that person’s life. People with eating disorders often have a history of trauma, co-existing mental illnesses like depression or anxiety disorders, difficulty in relationships, addictions to drugs or alcohol, and other difficulties that led to the development of disordered eating.
While eating disorders are often poorly understood, they are fairly common disorders. According to the National Eating Disorders Association, as many as ten million Americans suffer from some type of eating disorder. These conditions can affect men and women of all ages. Without proper treatment, they can be deadly; in fact, anorexia is considered the most deadly of all mental illnesses. Eating disorders don’t only affect the person diagnosed with the condition, either; they affect the entire family.
With proper treatment, though, people can fully recover. We want to give you the information you need about eating disorders and related conditions so that you can recognize problems in yourself or loved ones and get the appropriate help. Education is only the first step in a lengthy journey toward recovery, but we want to give you as much information, help, and support as possible as you embark on this process. The road to recovery is a long and difficult one, but it’s certainly worth the effort.
This section will provide you with definitions, statistics, signs and symptoms, and physical and medical complications of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, compulsive eating, orthorexia, and other eating disorders and related conditions. You can learn about possible causes of eating disorders and how to help prevent them. Learn about how eating disorders affect children, men, athletes, and other special populations. This section will also provide you with information regarding the dangers associated with certain products sometimes used in an attempt to lose weight.
Perhaps most importantly, we’ll tell you how to get help if you or someone you love has any of these serious conditions. Learn how to get help for the whole family. Learn what parents can do to recognize signs of eating disorders in children and how to get their children the help they need. We’ll tell you about the most effective treatment models, different types of therapy used in the treatment of eating disorders, when inpatient treatment might be necessary, and how to find a qualified therapist or treatment center.
Along with information, we want to give you hope. We want you to see that recovery is possible, even if it’s hard, even if it takes a long time, even if it seems far away or impossible. We want to encourage you to seek help, to build a support system, and to continue on your journey to health and wellness. We want you to survive.
To learn more about the types of eating disorders and treating eating disorders, follow the links.