Eating Concerns and Body Image Issues

Eating disorders are not disorders of choice.

They are complex and potentially life threatening disorders likely caused by a genetic predisposition that can be triggered by stressful life events. These disorders extend far beyond food or weight. Eating disorders often serve as coping tools for more serious and painful underlying issues. I work with clients to uncover these underlying issues, the various functions the eating disorder has served in their life, and the meaning of the disordered eating behaviors. Individuals who struggle with eating disorders tend to have difficulty tolerating painful feelings and use their relationship with food as a way to manage these feelings. I help clients explore more healthy ways to cope with feeling out of control and with feelings of shame, sadness, and anger.

Don’t wait to get help. Be proactive. Early intervention is one of the strongest predictive factors for recovery.

Eating Disorders – Know The Basics

Anorexia Nervosa

Characterized by self-starvation, an intense fear of gaining weight, a disturbance in the way in which one’s weight is experienced, an emphasis on weight and body shape as a measure of self-worth, and excessive weight loss. There is a restrictive type of anorexia and a binge-eating/purging type.

Recognize the Warning Signs

Dramatic weight loss; weight loss becomes primary focus in life; denial of hunger
Preoccupation with weight, food, calories, fat grams, or dieting; refusal to eat certain foods or whole categories of food
Development of food rituals (i.e. eating foods in certain orders, excessive chewing, cutting food into tiny pieces, rearranging food on plate); avoiding mealtimes or situations with food
Withdrawal from usual friends or activities
Anxiety about gaining weight or being “fat”; frequent comments about feeling “fat” or overweight despite weight loss

Physical Consequences of Anorexia Nervosa

Abnormally slow heart rate or abnormal heart rhythm
Low blood pressure
Low body temperature
Osteoporosis
Cognitive slowing
Shrinkage of internal organs
Kidney failure from dehydration
Lanugo (growth of downy layer of body hair to keep warm)
Infertility
Amenorrhea (loss of menstrual period)

Bulimia Nervosa

Characterized by a cycle of binge eating and compensatory behaviors in order to prevent weight gain (i.e. vomiting, laxative abuse, diuretics, fasting, or excessive exercise). There is also an emphasis on weight and shape as a measure of self-worth.

Recognize the Warning Signs of Bulimia Nervosa

Evidence of binge eating, such as disappearance of large amounts of food in short periods of time, the existence of food wrappers and containers indicating the consumption of large amounts of food, or secretive food hoarding or foraging

Evidence of purging behavior, such as frequent trips to the bathroom after meals, packages of laxatives or diuretics, or signs and/or smells of vomiting (i.e. calluses or scars on the back of hands or knuckles)

Unusual swelling of the cheeks or jaw area
Creation of complex lifestyle schedules or rituals to make time for binge-and-purge sessions
Discoloration, staining, and/or deterioration of teeth
Excessive or compulsive exercise regimen
Withdrawal from usual friends or activities

The Physical Consequences of Bulimia Nervosa

Electrolyte imbalances that can lead to irregular heartbeats and possible heart failure
Inflammation and possible rupture of the esophagus from frequent vomiting or sore throat
Chronic irregular bowel movements and constipation as result of laxative abuse
Gastric rupture during periods of bingeing
Tooth decay and staining from stomach acids
Peptic ulcers and pancreatitis
Peripheral edema, swelling due to retention of fluids
Parotid gland swelling (i.e. swelling & soreness in cheeks and jaw area)

Binge Eating Disorder

Characterized by a cycle of binge eating without the use of compensatory behaviors to prevent weight gain.

Recognize the Warning Signs of Binge Eating Disorder

Evidence of binge eating, such as disappearance of large amounts of food in short periods of time, the existence of food wrappers and containers indicating the consumption of large amounts of food, or secretive food hoarding or foraging

Not feeling hunger or fullness cues
Depression, anxiety, guilt, self-criticism, regret, shame over eating behaviors
Concern with weight, shape, and eating

Physical Consequences of Binge Eating Disorder

High blood pressure
High cholesterol levels
Heart disease as a result of elevated triglyceride levels
Secondary diabetes
Gallbladder disease

Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified

Frequently used for individuals who meet some, but not all the diagnostic criteria for other eating disorders. For example, an individual may have a very restricted food intake but not meet all the criteria for anorexia.

Source: Eating Disorder Awareness & Prevention (www.edap.org)

Nearly 10 million females and 1 million males in the U.S. are battling eating disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia, while millions more suffer from binge eating disorder.

(Crowther et al., 1992; Fairburn et al., 1993; Gordon, 1990; Hoek, 1995; Shisslak et al., 1995)