Are Eating Disorders, Mental Disorders?

It may be surprising to read that eating disorders have little to do with food and more with mental health. So, if you are wondering, Are Eating Disorders, Mental Disorders? The answer to your query is yes. The National Institute of Mental Health reports, eating disorders have the highest mortality rate. Long-term eating disorders also increase the risk of other diseases. Such as osteoporosis, reproductive disorders, kidney and heart issues.

Like other types of mental health disorders, there is a treatment for eating disorders. But, they are complex and can contain genetic components. And some diseases such as depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. So they demand an intensive dual diagnostic treatment. A survey conducted a few years ago noted that 59% of the normal-weight people and 21% of the underweight women consider themselves overweight. These are an obsession of our society with skewed standards of physical fitness.

Because we watch slim, feminine, and 6-pack muscular figures in fashion magazines. We consider them to be the standards against which we should compare our pot bellies. We Pakistanis live on the extremes for everything. Rarely do we ever take the middle ground? Either we spend our lifetimes munching on fast food and potting the belly further. Or we starve our stomachs out. These two diversities refer to eating disorders. Which have been characterized as severe mental illnesses.

What are Eating Disorders?

Eating disorders are severe changes in eating behavior. Many may sometimes be conscious about their health, weight, and appearance. In comparison, some are determined or obsessed with weight loss, weight, shape, and control of food intake. These can be signs of an eating disorder.

Eating disorders are not an option. These disorders can affect an individual’s physical and mental health. In some cases, it can be life-threatening. Yet, the treatment allows people to recover from eating disorders entirely.
There are four main types of eating disorders. Anorexia nervosa, Bulimia nervosa, binge-eating, and ARFID (avoidant/restrictive food intake disease).

Anorexia Nervosa

In this condition, people avoid food, restrict food, or eat only minimal amounts. They may also weigh themselves again and again. Even if they are extremely underweight, they think they are overweight. There are two subtypes of anorexia nervosa, restrictive and binge-purge.

Restrictive – People with this type of anorexia nervosa limit the amount and type of food they eat.
Binge purge – People with this type also limit the amount and type of food they eat. Also, they may have purging and binge eating episodes. This means they eat large amounts of food in a short period. After eating to get rid of what they consume, they induce vomiting or use laxatives and diuretics.

Symptoms of Anorexia

• Severe food restriction
• Reluctance or unwillingness to maintain a healthy weight.
• Distorted body image and low self-esteem.
• Lack of menstruation or disruption of the menstrual cycle among women.
• Intense fear of being overweight
  These Symptoms May Worsen To Develop Severe Medical Conditions Including:
• Osteoporosis
• Severe constipation
• Dry and pale skin
• Low blood pressure
• Infertility
• Anemia
• Brain damage
• Slower pulse and breathing
• Several organ failures
• Damage to function and structure of the heart

Anorexia can be fatal

According to a study, the mortality rate (high death) of anorexia nervosa is very high. When we compare it to other mental diseases. There is a risk for people with anorexia to die from hunger-related complications. Suicide is the 2nd leading reason of death in people suffering from anorexia nervosa. So, it’s better to consult a psychiatrist at the earliest.

Bulimia Nervosa

This condition refers to the episodes of over-eating or consuming more significant portions of food. Such people don’t feel the power to stop or restricting them. As a result, the people may continue to feel the need to induce vomiting, fasting. They also increase the use of diuretics or engage in excessive exercise.

Unlike anorexics, bulimics are more prone to maintaining a healthy weight. But, when they gain weight, they suddenly feel the urge or obsession with losing it. They develop feelings of disgust and unsatisfactory association with their body image.

Symptoms of Bulimia Nervosa

• Inflamed and sore throat
• Swollen salivary glands
• Increasingly sensitive and decaying teeth
• Gastrointestinal problems and acid reflux disorder
• Dehydration from decreasing the use of fluids (electrolyte imbalance)
• Intestinal irritation and distress due to overuse of laxatives
• Electrolyte imbalance may result in a heart attack or stroke.

Binge Eating

We are more than familiar with this phrase. Because our parents always refer to it when we demand an infinite supply of chips and cold drinks. Binge eating refers to the disorder in which people lose their conscious control of overeating. These periods are not followed by feelings of guilt and attempt to reverse the damage. Instead, people continue to have disrupted eating habits and are often overweight. The feeling of guilt and shame is strong with binge eaters too. But, the high level of psychological stress induces more binge eating than motivation to control it.

Symptoms of binge-eating

• Consuming more amount of food within a short period, like within two hours.
• Consuming food quickly within binge episode
• Consuming food even when not hungry and are full
• Consuming too much food until painfully full
• Consuming food in private to avoid embarrassment
• Repeatedly dieting, probably without weight loss

Avoidant-restrictive food intake disease (ARFID)

Avoidant-restrictive eating disorder (ARFID), known as a selective eating disorder. It is a condition that limits the amount and type of food people eat. People with ARFID are not afraid of distorting their body image or gaining weight. ARFID occurs in mid-childhood. It usually occurs earlier than other eating disorders. Many children go through a stage of a selective eating disorder. But ARFID children do not consume enough calories to develop and grow properly. ARFID adults are not able to maintain essential physical function because they do not eat enough calories.

Symptoms of ARFID

• Dramatic restrictions on the type and amount of food to eat
• Lack of appetite and interest in food.
• Dramatic weight loss
• Abdominal pain, nausea, or other gastrointestinal issues without other known causes
• The range of preferable foods is further restricted (“picky eating” progressively aggravate)

Who Is At Risk?

Eating disorders affect individuals of all ages, ethnic/racial backgrounds, weights, and gender. Eating disorders usually occur in adolescence or early adulthood. But can also occur in childhood or later (40 years and older).
Remember: People with eating disorders may look healthy, but they are very ill. The exact reason for eating disease is not fully understood. Studies show that a combination of genetic, biological, behavioral, psychological, and social factors can increase risk.

Treatment of Eating Disorders

Eating disorders can be treated well. Early detection and early treatment are necessary for complete recovery. People with eating disorders are at increased risk of suicide and complications.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy

This therapy focuses on behaviors, thoughts, and emotions associated with eating disorders. By engaging in a healthier diet, you can recognize harmful thoughts and behaviors.

Family therapy

A person’s family can play an essential role in treatment. Family members can encourage people with eating disorders to seek help. They can also provide support during treatment. They can be a good ally for individuals and healthcare providers. Studies show that family support in treating eating disorders may improve treatment outcomes.

Group therapy

Group therapy includes meeting with therapists and other people with eating disorders. Together, you can learn skills to manage your symptoms. You can help to restore healthy nutrition.

Nutrition education

A nutritionist can help you better understand how to eat. For example:

• You can set healthy weight goals
• Understand how nutrition affects your body and plan your diet.

Medicine

Studies also suggest that the drug may help with eating disorders and anxiety, and depression. People with eating disorders benefit from medications such as antidepressants. Antidepressants are most effective when combined with psychotherapy. Drugs can treat physical problems caused by eating disorders.

Typical goals of treatment

• Restore proper nutrition
• To bring your weight to a healthy level
• Reduce excessive exercise
• Stopping binge-eating and binge-purge behaviors
• Individuals with eating diseases may also have other mental illnesses. Such as depression and anxiety and problems with drug use. It is essential to treat the prophylactic condition as part of the treatment plan. Specific forms of psychotherapy (“verbal therapy”) and cognitive-behavioral therapy can effectively treat certain eating disorders.

Why Are Eating Disorders Serious Mental Illnesses?

Eating disorders are biological illnesses because of the lack of mental senses being in control of our eating patterns. Furthermore, they have been medically tagged so due to multiple other reasons:

• They can be biologically inherited. Like other mental disorders, including depression and bipolar disorder.
• The habits of excessive eating or purging eating altogether have been proven. According to research, it impacts our body’s metabolism and brain structure substantially. As a result, people find it increasingly difficult to change their behaviors, eventually.
• Eating disorders also lead to disrupting cognitive and emotional senses.
• They are directly linked to the development of severe medical conditions. Thus these disorders are life-threatening forms of illness.

How Do Eating Disorders Affect Mental Health?

To survive, you need vitamins, minerals, and calories. If your body doesn’t get enough nutrients, it’s at risk. The result can be problems with the digestive, reproductive system, bones, and heart. However, some changes occur in the brain.

For example, we can train our brains to react unnoticed to certain things in our lives. After that, our beliefs change our behavior. For example, if you think morning tea will make you look more beautiful, tea is a reason to feel better, we train the brain to believe that tea makes you attractive. The same is true for people with eating disorders. They trained their brains to associate food with ugliness or being overweight. Poor food visibility makes them feel sick about themselves. So they do actions such as restriction, diet, and purification to reduce calories.

Eating disorders are mental disorders that usually require treatment. If left untreated, it can be harmful to the body. If you have an eating disorder, or if you know someone with an eating disorder, consult a nutritionist via Marham.pk.

FAQS

1- Which Eating Disorders Are The Most Difficult to Treat?

Anorexia nervosa has the highest mortality rate of all mental disorders. Some patients have been fighting silently for years before seeking treatment.

2- What is the most successful therapy for anorexia nervosa?

Most clinical trials have shown that improved cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT-E) is the most successful treatment for anorexia in adults.

3- What is the weight of a patient with anorexia nervosa?

People with anorexia nervosa are usually underweight by age, gender, and height by 15% or more.

4- Which eating disorder is the most common?

The most common eating disorder is binge eating disorder.

5- What is Diabulimia?

Diabulimia is a type of eating disorder that affects only people with type 1 diabetes. In this case, the person decreases or stops taking insulin to lose weight.

Book an appointment now to seek professional help from the best nutritionists in Pakistan. You can book an appointment with top doctors in Pakistan through Marham by calling the Marham helpline: 0311-1222398 or online booking facility through the website or Marham mobile app.

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