Eating disorder
An
eating disorder is a compulsion to eat in a way which disturbs physical health. The eating may be excessive (compulsive over-eating); too limited (restricting); may include normal eating punctuated with episodes of purging; may include cycles of binging and purging; or may encompass the ingesting of non-foods. The best-known eating disorders are
Anorexia nervosa and
Bulimia nervosa. The most widely and rapidly spreading eating disorder is compulsive overeating or
Binge eating disorder. The three most common eating disorders are anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder. All three have severe consequences to a person's health and can even cause death. There are numerous theories as to the causes and mechanisms leading to eating disorders.
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Anorexia nervosa*
Binge eating disorder*
Bulimia nervosa*
Eating disorder not otherwise specified*
Hyperphagia*
Rumination*
PicaEating disorders are characterized by an abnormal obsession with food and weight. Eating disorders are much more common in women than in men, particularly teenaged girls, where eating disorders are on the rise. Over 50% of the people with an eating disorder also have a
comorbid diagnosis of
severe mental depression. The
American Psychiatric Association lists eating disorders.Some psychologists also classify a syndrome called
orthorexia as an eating disorder, or, more properly, "disordered eating" - the person is overly obsessed with the consumption of what they see as the 'right' foods for them, to the point that their nutrition and quality of life suffers (although due to cultural and political factors which influence food choices, this idea is considered controversial by some). In addition, some individuals have food
phobias about what they can and cannot eat, which can be characterised as an eating disorder. Somewhat qualitatively different from those conditions previously mentioned is
pica, or the habitual ingestion of inedibles, such as dirt, wood, hair, etc. This is a condition particularly prevalent in children.
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Journal references
*: An excellent current article on the consequences of eating disorders, the costs to families and institutions.
* Abstract: In a prospective long-term follow-up of 84 patients 21 years after first hospitalisation for anorexia nervosa, we found that 50.6% had achieved a full recovery, 10.4% still met full diagnostic criteria for anorexia nervosa, and 15.6% had died from causes related to anorexia nervosa. Predictors of outcome included physical, social, and psychological variables.
Book reference
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Eating Disorders: Counseling Issues*
Eating Disorder FAQs*
Eating Disorders*
Less-well-known eating disorders*
National Institute of Mental Health: Eating Disorders: A detailed booklet that describes symptoms, causes, and treatments, with information on getting help and coping.
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Eating Disorders and Anorexia Nervosa - original review articles
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SomethingFishyInformation on Eating Disorders
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NEDICNational Eating Disorder Information Centre
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ANADNational Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders
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"The ABC's of Eating Disorders" educational documentary*
Anorexia, Bulimia and Eating Disorders Prevention and Treatment*
What Is Behind - Eating Disorders?, from
Awake! magazine (January 22, 1999)
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saving the woman Personal pages on a young womans recovery from Anorexia and Bulimia
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Beriberi
