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Eating Disorders. Causes. It is important to understand that an eating disorder is merely a symptom of an underlying problem. Eating Disorders can have MANY causes, but food is NOT one of them. A Person’s eating disorder is triggered by one or a number of (often minor) events. Initial Causes.
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Causes • It is important to understand that an eating disorder is merely a symptom of an underlying problem. Eating Disorders can have MANY causes, but food is NOT one of them. • A Person’s eating disorder is triggered by one or a number of (often minor) events
Initial Causes • The causes or underlying issues are different for every person. It is often a traumatic even that has happened in their life, possibly years before the disorder manifested • Physical violence • Emotional abuse (bullying) • Divorce of parents • Death of a loved one • Peer Pressure to be thin
The Trigger • An traumatic event does not mean the person will develop an eating disorder, but may lead to low self-esteem which leads to one • Someone comments negatively about your weight or appearance • Media influence • Pressure to succeed in school • Relationship problems • A friend tells you to purge/starve
The Symptoms • The trigger leads to the start of the individuals focus on food and weight • It often starts out as a diet that progressively becomes more and more obsessive • Nobody starts out intending to become eating disordered—it is something that happens gradually over time
Anorexia NervosaSELF-STARVATION • Intense fear of gaining weight, with a refusal to eat • Disturbance of body image • Significant amount of weight loss (at least 15% of normal body weight) • Refusal to maintain a minimal normal body weight • No known physical illness that would account for the weight loss
Anorexia is usually found in high achievers that are extreme perfectionist in all areas of life • Distorted body image • Intense fear of gaining weight • Feelings of guilt after eating • Is already thin and weight is still dropping • Counts every calorie and every fat gram eaten • Paleness, dizziness, or fainting spells • Intense dramatic mood swings • Excessively and compulsively exercising • Complaints of being hot or cold • Hair loss • High need for control • Wearing loose clothes • Hiding food in napkins • Abuse of laxatives, diet pills • Very poor self-esteem • Never eats around others
Medical Complications • Shrunken organs • Kidney disease or failure • Memory loss or disorientation • Fluid imbalances • Deteriorations of muscles (heart) • Irregular heart beat • Bone density loss • DEATH!!
Bulimia Nervosa • Episodes of binging and purging • Binge eating accompanies by awareness that the eating pattern is abnormal • Repeated attempts to lose weight through severely restrictive diets, self-induced vomiting, use of laxatives, enemas, colonics, medications, or excessive exercise
Binge eating and purging occur on average at least 2x weekly for 3 months • Fear of not being able to not stop eating voluntarily • Depressed mood • Self-deprecating thoughts following eating binges
Symptoms • Binging and purging • Secretive eating—missing food • Severed self criticism • Feeling guilty after eating • Visits to bathroom after eating • Weight fluctuations • Tooth decay • Preoccupation with food • Constant sore throat • Feel like have no control over food • Avoids eating in public • Broken blood vessels in eyes • Poor impulse control • Excessive and compulsive exercise regimen
Compulsive OvereatingBinge Eating • A serious condition that is characterized by uncontrolled eating, followed by feelings of guilt and depression. • Often, a compulsive overeater associates food with comfort and uses it to soothe stress or emotional distress. • It may cause a person to continue eating even after (s)he becomes full and can result in serious health problems.
Warning Signs • Eats large amounts of food when not hungry • Eats more rapidly than normal • May eat alone • Feels shame or embarrassment from eating • Feels depressed, disgusted or guilty after eating • Weight fluctuates frequently • May use laxatives or diuretics in an attempt to lose weight • May purge by fasting, exercising or vomiting • Is preoccupied with body weight • Has mood swings
Health Consequences • Nausea • Weight gain • Weight-related hypertension and/or fatigue • Increased risk of diabetes, high blood pressure and some forms of cancer (in obese people