Eating disorders involve a preoccupation with control over eating, food and body weight. Left unaddressed the medical, psychological and social consequences can be serious and long term. The disorders can destroy a person’s quality of life, and are potentially life threatening.

Eating disorders can be overcome. Early intervention may prevent serious problems from developing so it is important to seek help and advice if there are any concerns about unhealthy eating patterns, rapid weight loss, or any other warning signs; preferably before the behaviours and beliefs associated with an eating disorder become well established.

Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia is characterised by:

■   severe restriction of food intake
■   loss of body weight to an unhealthy level
■   loss of menstrual periods
■   an intense fear of getting fat, and losing control of eating
■   often a disturbed body image - still regarding self as fat despite being underweight

Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia is characterised by over-preoccupation with food and weight resulting in out of control eating patterns such as:

■   eating binges which involve the consumption of large amounts of food. These usually occur secretly, and the person feels a sense of loss of control and shame
■   attempts to compensate for binges and avoid weight gain by one or more of the following unhealthy measures: self induced vomiting; misuse of laxatives, fluid or diet pills; excessive exercise; periods of strict dieting.

Binge Eating Disorder

Binge Eating Disorder is characterised by periods of binge eating without compensatory behaviour such as vomiting or excessive exercise.

Addressing signs as early as possible can prevent the condition from becoming more serious, and impede the development of medical problems; most of which are reversible if treated early.

Other eating disorders

There is a wide range of disordered eating patterns and not all people with eating disorders have a clear-cut diagnoses. For example, anorexia and bulimia may co-exist, or one may develop into the other, or some people may have a very restricted food intake without fulfilling all of the criteria of anorexia nervosa. These conditions are no less serious; intervention and attention are still required.