EATING DISORDERS

What is an Eating Disorder?

Eating Disorders describe illnesses that are
characterized by irregular eating habits and
severe distress or concern about body weight or
shape.

Eating disturbances may include inadequate or

excessive food intake which can ultimately
damage an individual’s well-being. The most
common forms of eating disorders include
Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, and
Binge Eating Disorder and affect both females
and males.
control during the binge; experiencing shame,
distress or guilt afterwards; and not regularly
using unhealthy compensatory measures to
counter the binge eating.

Eating disturbances may include inadequate or

excessive food intake which can ultimately
damage an individual’s well-being. The most
common forms of eating disorders include
Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, and Binge
Eating Disorder and affect both females and
males.
Signs & Symptoms of an Eating
Disorder
A man or woman suffering from an eating
disorder may reveal several signs and
symptoms, some which are:

Three Most Common Eating  Chronic dieting despite being

Disorders
Anorexia Nervosa is an eating disorder
characterized by weight loss (or lack of
appropriate weight gain in growing children);
difficulties maintaining an appropriate body
weight for height, age, and stature; and, in many
individuals, distorted body image. People with
anorexia generally restrict the number of
calories and the types of food they eat. Some
people with the disorder also exercise
compulsively, purge via vomiting and laxatives,
and/or binge eat.
Bulimia Nervosa is characterized by a cycle of
binge eating and compensatory behaviors such
as self-induced vomiting designed to undo or
compensate for the effects of binge eating.
hazardously underweight
 Constant weight fluctuations
 Obsession with calories and fat contents
of food
 Engaging in ritualistic eating patterns,
such as cutting food into tiny pieces,
eating alone, and/or hiding food
 Continued fixation with food, recipes, or
cooking; the individual may cook
intricate meals for others but refrain
from partaking
 Depression or lethargic stage
 Avoidance of social functions, family, and
friends. May become isolated and
withdrawn
 Switching between periods of overeating
and fasting

Binge Eating Disorder is the most common

eating disorder in the United States, is
characterized by recurrent episodes of eating
large quantities of food; a feeling of a loss of
Treatment for an Eating
Disorder

Treatment for an eating disorder is

usually comprised of one or more of the
following and addressed with medical COUNSELING AT UMHS
doctors, nutritionists, and therapists for
complete care: Amanda Massicott, MA
Student Counselor
Medical Care and Monitoring-The Main Administration Building – Room
highest concern in the treatment of
223
eating disorders is addressing any Email: amaassicott@umhs-sk.net
health issues that may have been a Phone: (869) 466-2043 x120
consequence of eating disordered
behaviors. For urgent after-hours mental health
crisis please contact: (869) 662-4686
Nutrition: This would involve weight
restoration and stabilization, guidance In the case of a life threatening
for normal eating, and the integration emergency, please call:
of an individualized meal plan. The hospital at (869) 465-2551
Or dial 911
Therapy: Different forms of
psychotherapy, such as individual,
family, or group, can be helpful in
addressing the underlying causes of
eating disorders. Therapy is a
fundamental piece of treatment
because it affords an individual in
recovery the opportunity to address
and heal from traumatic life events
and learn healthier coping skills and
methods for expressing emotions,
communicating and maintaining
healthy relationships.

Medications: Some medications may

be effective in helping resolve mood
or anxiety symptoms that can occur
with an eating disorder or in reducing
binge-eating and purging behaviors.