Eating disorder is a challenge that many individuals face in our society. There are several psychological conditions associated with one developing an unhealthy eating habit. Becoming obsessed with food is among the states that may contribute to eating more or less than your body needs; other contributing obsessions include body shape and body weight. If untreated, eating disorders can lead to serious health complications and even death.
You can use several symptoms to identify if you have an eating disorder. Common indicators include severe restrictions to food, purging behaviors like vomiting, and food binges. Read on to learn more about eating disorders.
What Causes Eating Disorders
Several factors contribute to you developing an eating disorder. Genetics is one of the main reasons. Numerous research articles indicate that eating disorders may be hereditary. A study on newborn twins showed a 50% chance of one of the twins developing an eating disorder if the other one has it.
Personality traits also contribute to your eating disorders. Individuals displaying perfectionism, impulsivity, and neurotic traits are more likely to develop an eating disorder. Culture also contributes to your eating habits. The need to maintain thinness for beauty and excessive media exposure can leave you eating more or less for a non-existent culture.
Recent studies also link eating disorders to brain structure and biological differences. Serotonin and dopamine are brain messengers that affect your eating habits, and each brain composition has varying levels. Seeking professional health assistance from establishments to Ocean Recovery helps manage your eating disorder.
Types of Eating Disorders
Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia Nervosa is an eating disorder that is more common in women than women. Individuals with this condition often view themselves as overweight despite some of them being significantly underweight. They excessively obsess about monitoring their weight and food consumption to restrict their calorie and nutrient levels.
- People suffering from Anorexia Nervosa show symptoms of;
- Being underweight compared to their weight and height bracket
- They show highly restricted eating habits.
- Their body image is distorted
- Excessive pursuit of thinness
Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia is an eating disorder that tends to develop during the early stages of adulthood. It is more common in men, and the patients consume substantial amounts of food in a short time. Specialists refer to this period as binge eating.
In each binge eating episode, the individuals eat until they become full. After overeating, they tend to purge to relieve the gut discomfort and excess calories consumed. Vomiting, enemas, laxatives, excessive exercise, and fasting are common purging behaviors.
Binge Eating Disorder
Binge eating disorder is the most common among the United States population. The symptoms of this condition are similar to those of Bulimia Nervosa. Individuals suffering from this type of disorder consume large amounts of food in a short time.
Pica
Pica is an eating disorder that involves you eating things not considered food. Instead of food, you may find yourself craving non-food substances like dirt, ice, soil, cloth, hair, or pebbles. The disorder is most common among pregnant women but can also be observed in children and individuals suffering from mental complications.
Rumination Disorder
Rumination is most common in animals, but rumination disorder is a new development. Individuals suffering from this condition regurgitate previously chewed and swallowed food, re-chew it, and either re-swallow or spit the remains out. It is a condition that can develop during infancy or childhood and requires professional medical attention.
Seeking professional assistance for your eating disorder is ideal for achieving a healthy lifestyle. This article provides more information about eating disorders and their symptoms to help you avoid or recover from the condition. Failure to correct these disorders can result in severe health complications, including insufficient nutrients in your system.