2) Bulimia Nervosa is when people binge eat (eat a large amount of food in a short time) and then use inappropriate ways to purge the food to avoid weight gain, including using laxatives or self-induced vomiting.
What are the symptoms, or warning signs, of eating disorders?
The warning signs for eating disorders are different, depending on what type of eating disorder you might have.
Anorexia Nervosa Symptoms
- Resistance to have a body weight at or above the normal weight for age and height
- Intense fear of gaining weight, even though they are underweight
- Very critical of how their body looks
- Infrequent or absent periods for females (amenorrhea)
Bulimia Nervosa Symptoms
- Binge eating (eating a lot of food within a short time with no control over eating habits) on a regular basis
- Inappropriate actions to reduce weight gain after binge eating including self-induced vomiting, misuse of laxatives, diuretics, fasting, or excessive exercise
- The binge eating and inappropriate actions should occur for at least twice a week for three months
- Self-esteem is largely influenced by body shape and weight
Eating Disorders Not Otherwise Specified – Binge Eating Disorder
- Recurrent episodes of binge eating
- Binge eating is following with at least three of the following:
o Eating faster than normal
o Eating until feeling uncomfortably full
o Eating large amounts of food when not hungry
o Eating alone because of embarrassment
o Feeling disgusted with oneself
o Depressed or guilty after eating - Distress about binge eating
- Binge eating occurs at least two days a week for at least six months
- Not associated with purging food like vomiting or use of laxatives
How do eating disorders start?
Usually, eating disorders begin during childhood, adolescence, or early adulthood. A person could start out eating smaller or larger amounts of food than normal, but eventually the eating habits get out of control.
Women and girls are much more likely to have eating disorders than males. Men and boys account for about 5 – 15% of anorexia or bulimia and about 35% of those with a binge-eating disorder.
They often have a variety of causes, including psychological, emotional, biological, and other physical conditions. Every person is different.
Can eating disorders be cured?
Eating disorders can be treated with medical care and psychological care. It is important to get your physical and mental health taken care of because eating disorders are mental illnesses but do affect your physical health.
Anorexia is usually treated by trying to get the person back to a healthy weight, using psychological care to treat the issues related to the eating disorder, and to reduce or eliminate behaviors that can lead to a relapse. Bulimia is also treated with a combination of options that could include nutritional counseling, psychotherapy, or medications. Other eating disorders are also usually helped through physical and mental treatments.
Eating Disorders and the Military
Current research has proven that military members and their families are more susceptible to mental health illnesses, including eating disorders. Studies have shown that women in the military have greater rates of eating disorders than their civilian counterparts: 1.1% have anorexia nervosa, 8.1% have bulimia nervosa, and 62.8% have not-otherwise-specified eating disorders . Furthermore, the female adolescent dependents and wives of military service members are also at greater risk for developing eating disorders: 21% of adolescents and 26% of wives meet the criterion for disordered eating .
Where should you seek help in Jefferson County for an eating disorder?
The North Country Transitional Living Services (NCTLS) has an Eating Disorders Case Management Program which involves many different agencies in the North Country to provide comprehensive services to families affected by an eating disorder. A case manager can bridge gaps to care, coordinate services, link patients and families to services in the community, and maintain support, goals, and evaluations of the treatment. You can be referred to NCTLS by your health provider or give them a call at (315)782-1777, ext. 34. You will have an intake appointment and your treatment can begin from there. They work in conjunction with Samaritan Medical Center Eating Disorders Program.
The Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County also offers a monthly eating disorders video conference that supports families affected by eating disorders. Call (315)788-8450 for the next meeting.
Links for General Information about Eating Disorders
National Eating Disorders Association
National Institute of Mental Health – Eating Disorders
New York State Office of Mental Health – Eating Disorders
Eating Disorders Recovery Network
Links for Information about Eating Disorders and the Military
Disordered Eating in the Active Duty Population – Presentation
Hooah4Health – Eating Disorders
Sources: Eating Disorders. New York State Office of Mental Health. July 2007.
Eating Disorders. National Institute of Mental Health