Eating Disorders

It is estimated that young men account for 10% of all eating disorders and that anorexia is most common amongst the 15 - 25 year old age group. These disorders are complicated and often very difficult to understand, but are not just about food. Eating disorders are certainly not phases or childish obsessions, they are psychological problems that can be treated successfully if a sufferer is both willing to seek help and is compassionately supported.

Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia nervosa is a psychological disorder in which sufferers have a distorted perception of their own body weight. sufferers are often obsessed by their appearance deliberately starving themselves to alter it.

The illness affects men as well as women.

The Signs

Obviously changes in eating habits and sudden or continuous weight loss, but also insomnia, headaches, depression, constipation and physical symptoms such as skin problems, tiredness and lack of energy that come with malnutrition.

Changes in eating habits may include eating small amounts, avoiding food groups or skipping meals.

Girls may find that there periods stop.

Dangers

The illness is potentially fatal if untreated and is strongly linked to depression and a low self esteem.

The illness may also cause damage to the digestive system and severe malnutrition.

Bulimia Nervosa

Another eating disorder, bulimic sufferers often binge eat, stuffing themselves full and then throwing it up to avoid digesting it. Alternatively bulimics may take laxatives to speed the food through their bodies causing diarrhoea.

Bulimics differ from anorexics in that they can enjoy food and eating but cannot come to terms with digesting food and nourishing their bodies through a fear of weight gain.

Signs

Bulimia is often difficult to detect due to the lengths sufferers go to to hide their illness. Bulimics may lose weight but often they maintain a stable body weight. Look out for other signs such as behavioural changes such as frequent disappearance during or immediately after meals to vomit. Also look out for defensive attitudes when their eating habits are raised. Dangers

Tooth decay and damage to the digestive system and kidneys caused by vomiting are real dangers to bulimics.

Action

You

If you think that you might have an eating disorder. The first thing you must do is to seek help, you can get better but the first move must come from you so talk to someone. Perhaps a friend or one of your family, but preferably for you a doctor or a suitably trained councillor. Information and advice is available from the eating disorders association whose number is available at the bottom of this page.

Someone Else

If you suspect that somebody you know has an eating disorder be vary careful as to how you approach them as sufferers are often very defensive and can become distressed when the subject I raised. Perhaps you can seek advice from your GP or better still from the helpline below before you attempt to help. Be prepared to listen, to understand, and later to support and encourage. Not everyone will be so understanding so your role could be vital.

Information and Advice

The Eating Disorders Association

Helpline 01603 621414