Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are mental conditions, commonly characterised by an unhealthy shift in how food is perceived. This could include changes in behaviour, emotions and thoughts related to eating, and influence exercise habits and body weight consciousness. Despite its prevalence, with approximately 31.6% of Australian adolescents engaging with disordered eating in any given year, they can have serious psychological and physical consequences.
The signs and effects of these conditions vary from person to person, and can range in severity. With countless types of eating disorders, it is difficult to determine the specific resources and treatment that are needed without support. This is why anonymously consulting a professional service is the simplest and most effective option to make sure the right diagnosis and help is provided. The Butterfly Foundation is the most qualified and experienced service dedicated for eating disorder support in Australia, please use the link below to access their website:
It is advised to visit your local GP to find what treatments are most suitable. The earlier an eating disorder is discovered and treated, the less likely long-term impacts will surface and the faster recovery will be.
Causes of Eating Disorders
Genetics impact an individual’s likelihood of developing different eating disorders, and researchers are currently searching for specific mutations or gene variants that are responsible. Those with a family history of eating disorders are at more of a risk than those without.
Personality is another major influence, with those who are perfectionists, more sensitive, and are easily overwhelmed by stress being more likely to develop a condition than others.
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Other behaviours may keep an individual from recovering. Those with Eating Disorders are far more likely to resort to drug use and alcohol, and correlations has been found between the two. For more information on this matter, click here.
The following sections will offer general information regarding the most common eating disorders. For more information, please use the external links at the bottom of each.
Types of Eating Disorders:
Anorexia
Anorexia (or Anorexia Nervosa) is an eating disorder which is characterised by unhealthily low body weight, a morphed perception of body image and an obsessive fear of weight gain. Those with the condition may restrict their diet and consumption of food and create compulsive rules regarding their meals. They may also engage in binge-eating then purging, or excessive amounts of exercise to counteract their ‘weight gain’. A common psychological trait is that they perceive themselves as overweight when in reality they are underweight.
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Signs of Anorexia Nervosa
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Irrational Fear of weight gain
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Distorted or negative body image
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Preoccupation with weight, food, calories, fat grams, and dieting
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Low self esteem
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Headaches, fainting and dizziness
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Dramatic weight loss
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Social withdrawal from usual friends and activities
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Obsession with body shape or appearance
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Mood swings
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Excessive exercise
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Stomach cramps or pains
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Anxiety or depression
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Obsessive rituals around food (e.g, rearranging food on a plate)
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Increased anxiety around meal times
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Dry skin, brittle and dry hair and/or nails
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Cuts and calluses across the top of finger joints (a result of inducing vomiting)
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Sleep problems
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Rigid thinking (‘black and white’, ‘good and bad’ foods)
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Post-puberty female losing menstrual period
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Feeling out of control
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Self-harm or suicidal thoughts or behaviours
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Feeling cold all the time
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Dresses in layers to hide weight loss or stay warm
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Self conscious about eating in public
Types of Anorexia:
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Anorexia Nervosa Restricting Type
A common subgroup of Anorexia that is characterised by restrictions in the food and behaviours of the individuals, often engaging in measures such as dieting, fasting and excessive exercise to compensate.
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Anorexia Nervosa Binge-Eating
A subdivision of Anorexia that is characterised by severe restrictions in food selection and amount, and the individual may additionally engage in binge eating or purging. They often feel a loss of control at their eating habits, and may compensate by self-induced vomiting or misusing laxatives and enemas.
Long-term impacts of Anorexia
If left untreated without proper medical and support, anorexia is a serious condition with potentially life-threatening effects.
Possible impacts include:
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Loss of menstrual cycle, difficulty conceiving and possible infertility.
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Damage to the bodily organs
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Increased risk of heart failure
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Muscle and bone loss.
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Increased susceptibility to developing mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety
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Potential substance use.
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Hamper daily lifestyle and behaviour, harming relationships and impacting on ability to work
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Higher likelihood of suicide
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For more information on Anorexia, please visit:
Binge Eating Disorder
Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is a mental condition, commonly characterised by the frequent consumption of excessively large amounts of food. Those with the condition often eat counter to their appetite, bingeing past a comfortable threshold, and eating when they are not hungry. Common responses to this are through fasting or dieting, but could escalate into self-harm or the development of anxiety and depression. Presently, it is the most pervasive eating disorder, affecting 47% of Australians with an eating condition.
Signs of Binge Eating Disorder
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Consumption of large portions of food
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Eating rapidly during episodes
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Eating when full or not hungry
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Low self-confidence
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Discomfort eating in front of others
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Fluctuating weight changes
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Religiously following food rituals e.g. Only eating yellow foods, not allowing food to touch
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Hides food
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Plans sessions of binge eating ahead of time
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Excessively concerned with self-appearance and body weight
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Difficulty in concentration
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Stomach cramps
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Guilt attributed to overeating
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Lack of control of eating pattern
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Frequent dieting
Impacts of Binge Eating Disorder
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Social withdrawal
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Distorted body image
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Chronic sense of shame or disgust
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Development of depression and anxiety
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Development of type 2 Diabetes
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Increased risk of heart disease and strokes
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Kidney problems
For more information on Binge Eating Disorder, please visit:
Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia Nervosa is a serious mental condition - a deviation of the Binge Eating Disorder which is similarly characterised by episodes of excessive food consumption, but is immediately followed by self-induced vomiting, vigorous exercise or misuse of medication. These episodes of ‘binge eating’ generally feel uncontrollable and are often followed by overwhelming guilt and dread. It’s this sense of shame that causes irrational actions to purge the calories gained, which can alter their lifestyle and create an unhealthy obsession with body shape and weight.
Signs of Bulimia Nervosa
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Restrictive dieting and food avoidance
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Excessively conscious of one’s weight or appearance
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Self-isolation and difficulty socialising
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Mood swings
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Self-harm
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Eats large amounts of food in short periods of time
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Feelings of guilt and disgust
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Self-induced vomiting, overexercising or using laxatives
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Dehydration and muscle weakness
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Storing food in unusual place
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Chronic fear of weight gain
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Impacts of Bulimia Nervosa
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Development of depression or anxiety
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Irritate or tear oesophagus
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Damage intestines causing frequent constipation and diarrhoea
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Frequent stomach pains
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Fatigue and muscle deterioration
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Higher risk of heart failure or disease
For more information on Bulimia Nervosa, please visit:
References
eatingdisorders.org.au. 2022. Eating Disorders Explained. [online] Available at: <www.eatingdisorders.org.au/eating-disorders-a-z/eating-disorders-explained>
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Eating Disorders (for Teens) - Nemours KidsHealth (2022). Available at: <https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/eat-disorder.html>(Accessed: 11 April 2022).
Eating Disorders in Australia (2022). Available at: <https://nedc.com.au/eating-disorders/eating-disorders-explained/the-facts/eating-disorders-in-australia/ >
Learn about 6 common types of eating disorders and their symptoms. (2022). Available at: <https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/common-eating-disorders>(Accessed: 11 April 2022).
Sparti C, Santomauro D, Cruwys T, Burgess P, Harris M. Disordered eating among Australian adolescents: Prevalence, functioning, and help received. Int J Eat Disord. 2019 Mar;52(3):246-254. doi: 10.1002/eat.23032. Epub 2019 Feb 7. PMID: 30734332.