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Eating Disorders
Identifying Eating Disorders  (ED)

There are 2 main types of eating disorders: Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa.

Anorexia involves:
 

  • actively working to lose weight to the point that the individual weighs under 85 percent of what is expected for his or her normal range
  • intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat, despite being underweight
  • self view of body weight or shape is not realistic, views self as fat even when not
  • denies seriousness of health risks associated with the low weight
Bulimia involves: 
   
  • eating large amounts of food in short period of time (binging)
  • feeling out of control or unable to control overeating
  • forcing self to vomit to prevent weight gain
  • using laxatives, diuretics, enemas, and other medications excessively to cause weight loss
  • not eating or excessive exercising
  • self image heavily based on body image

Early assessment and treatment helps to prevent serious medical health problems & related mental health problems.

Eating disorders often occur with depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, and borderline personality disorder.

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Tipsheet:

Eating Disorders: An Overview

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Websites of interest:
 
National Eating Disorders Association Web site

National Eating Disorders Association (includes Submit a Question) – resources and advocacy

        
National Institute of Mental Health Web Site NIMH brochure:  Eating Disorders:  Facts About Eating Disorders and the Search for Solutions
            
National Mental Health Information Center Web site National Mental Health Information Center – eating disorders
            
National Mental Health Association Web site National Mental Health Association – eating disorders (includes support groups)


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Author: Ai Ton, MSW, LCSW

Last Update: October 3, 2007