Anorexia/Eating Disorders/eating disoders

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Expert: Jeanne Rust, PhD - 5/23/2011


Question
what is the defination of eating disorders in it's enterity ?

Answer
Jeanne Rust, PhD
Jeanne Rust, PhD
Dear Bertha,

I could write a book concerning your question!  But I have taken some material from my website and I'm giving that to you.  If you want more information, you can click on the link I'm including and get further information.  I hope this helps you!

Eating Disorder Questions and Answers
· What is anorexia?
· What is bulimia?
· What is binge eating disorder?
· What is compulsive eating?
· What is obesity?
· Are there other types of eating disorders?
· What causes eating disorders?
· What are the medical complications of eating disorders?
· How can you tell if you have an eating disorder?
· How do you treat an eating disorder?
· How many people have eating disorders?

1. What is anorexia?
Anorexia nervosa is one of the most prevalent of all eating disorders and one of the most life threatening. A person suffering from anorexia refuses to maintain a healthy body weight. Anorexics have an intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat and strive for perfection. Due to the loss of fat and weight, girls and women may suffer repeated missed menstrual cycles. People suffering from anorexia are generally very restrictive in their eating habits.

2. What is bulimia?
A person who suffers from bulimia binges and purges. Bulimics will eat a large quantity of food in a short amount of time and then self-induce vomiting. They do this to punish themselves or because they feel overwhelmed, sometimes with feeling fat but sometimes out of frustration or anger. Binging and purging will occur at least twice a week for three months. People with bulimia don't usually lose as much weight as people with anorexia.

3. Binge Eating Disorder
A person who suffers from binge eating disorder periodically goes on a large binge (like with bulimia) but does not purge afterwards. They are typically at a normal weight or overweight. They often binge to hide their emotions, fill a void in their lives, or as self-punishment. To be diagnosed as binge eating, this behavior will need to occur at least twice a week for six months. Binge eating disorder is probably the most common eating disorder.

Learn more about binge eating disorder »

4. Compulsive Eating
Compulsive overeaters use food to fill a void, hide from their emotions or cope with their problems. They tend to be overweight and use their physical appearance as a barrier. People who suffer from compulsive eating typically have very low self-esteem and feel shame about their weight. Unfortunately, they comfort themselves with food when they feel this shame, creating a cycle of emotional highs and lows.

Learn more about compulsive eating »

5. Obesity
Obesity is currently defined as anyone who has a body mass index (BMI) that is 30 or greater and is considered a disease by many medical professionals who work with this population.

Some of the causes of obesity are glandular malfunctions, malnutrition, emotional tension, boredom, habit, and love of food. It has also been linked to food sensitivities or food allergies and may be the result of either binge eating disorder or compulsive eating.

Learn more about obesity »

6. Eating Disorders Not Otherwise Specified
Many patients who do not meet strict diagnostic criteria for anorexia or bulimia may be diagnosed with EDNOS ("Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified"). EDNOS is poorly recognized by health professionals and insurers and can include an assortment of conditions including symptoms of anorexia but regular menstrual periods or body weight, binging less than twice a week or for a duration of less than 3 months, chewing and spitting out food, or an obsession with healthy eating (orthorexia). Far more individuals suffer from EDNOS than from bulimia and anorexia combined, and the health consequences are equally serious since they involve many of the same self-harming behaviors typical of other eating disorders.


LINK:  http://www.mirasol.net/eating-disorders/information.php


Warmly,
Jeanne Rust, PhD
CEO/Founder
Mirasol, Inc.
www.mirasol.net
www.edrecovery.com
888-520-1700

Jeanne Rust, PhD

Expertise

I have been treating eating disorders for over 25 years and I have a doctorate in clinical psychology. I am an expert in anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorders and in co-occurring disorders as well -- depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, etc. I was the official eating disorder therapist for the University of Arizona athletic department and love working with girls and women of all ages! 12 years ago I started my own treatment centers in Arizona where we treat adolescents and adults. I love working with people and have been helping people online since 1994. My hearts go out to the people out there who are unable to find help, who aren't sure whether they need help, and who don't have much of an understanding of the terrible consequences, emotionally and physically, that go hand in hand with the eating disorder. I view eating disorders as coping mechanisms that people use when they are under stress. I believe that eating disorders most times have many similarities whether it is anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating. The good news is that people can heal from an eating disorder and learn to create the lives they would like to live.

Experience

I have 25 years of experience in treating eating disorders of all kinds. I also do consultations for people who are starting treatment centers.

Education/Credentials
Northwestern University -- BA Masters in Counseling Doctorate in Clinical Psychology -- Saybrook institute

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