Eating Disorders

What is an eating disorder?

People with eating disorders suffer severe disturbances in their eating behaviors, as well as in their thoughts and feelings related to eating. They often have other mental health conditions, too, like depression, substance abuse or anxiety disorders. Combine the emotional aspects with the physical complications these conditions cause, and eating disorders become a perpetual cycle of emotional and physical destruction.

If eating disorders are not treated they can become chronic, debilitating and even life-threatening. For that reason, those with eating disorders must get professional help.

Signs & symptoms

Most people with eating disorders try to hide their behaviors. This is a key symptom, and it can make detection of a disorder difficult. Some general signs to watch for include:

• Unusual eating habits like avoiding meals, or eating excessive amounts of food in short time
• Self-descriptions that are focused on weight and body shape
• Denial of the problem

Who's at risk?

More than 90% of those with eating disorders are females ages 12 to 25. Males are much less likely than females to develop eating disorders: just 5% to 15% of people with anorexia or bulimia and 35% of those with binge-eating disorder. Emotional, social, cultural and other factors may contribute to development of eating disorders, including:

• Low self-esteem
• Feelings of inadequacy
• Depression, anxiety, anger, loneliness
• Troubled family relationships
• History of abuse
• Cultural pressures to have a "perfect" body
• Narrowly defined societal images of beauty
• Societal values that place physical attractiveness above other qualities
• Imbalance of chemicals in the brain that control hunger, appetite and digestion

Professional help

Eating disorders are treatable, especially if intervention comes early. The most effective treatment combines psychotherapy with careful monitoring of medical and nutritional needs. When an eating disorder results in life-threatening physical problems or severe mental health problems, hospital-based care is usually necessary.

Priority Health members can check here for information on getting mental health assistance.

What you can do

If you or someone you know seems to be suffering from an eating disorder, get in touch with your doctor or a mental health professional right away. You can also help by becoming more knowledgeable about eating disorders and their effects. Read more:

• Anorexia nervosa
• Bulimia nervosa
• Binge-eating disorder

Talk with a case manager

If you need extra help - perhaps because you are dealing with additional health risks - a Priority Health case manager will help you:

• Manage your depression
• Send you educational materials
• Work with your doctor if necessary
• Answer questions and offer support
  Contact a case manager now.