Eating Disorders are illnesses that are characterized by irregular eating habits and severe distress or concern about body weight or shape. Parts of these disorders may include inadequate or excessive food intake which can ultimately damage an individual’s well-being. There are 3 types: Anorexia Nervosa, Binge Eating, Bulimia Nervosa.
Anorexia Nervosa vs Binge Eating vs Bulimia Nervosa Anorexia Nervosa: A serious disorder in eating behavior primarily of young women in their teens and early twenties that is characterized especially by a pathological fear of weight gain leading to faulty eating patterns, malnutrition, and usually excessive weight loss. Binge eating: The consumption of large quantities of food in a short period of time or in episodes, typically as part of an eating disorder. Bulimia Nervosa: An eating disorder characterized by episodes of binge eating—consuming a lot of food quickly—followed by compensatory behavior, most commonly vomiting or "purging."
RESEARCH QUESTIONS FOR PATIENT 1. What are some common symptoms that patients experience when affected by the specific mental health disorder that you have been assigned? Some common symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa are Inadequate food intake, intense fear of weight gain and obsession with preventing weight gain, high self-esteem in body image, inability to appreciate the severity of the situation, refusal to eat Some common symptoms of Binge Eating are frequent episodes of consuming large amounts of food but without trying to prevent weight gain, feeling of being out of control while eating, strong shame or guilt while binging, shame Some common symptoms of Bulimia Nervosa are frequent episodes of consuming large amounts of food followed by behaviors to prevent weight gain, such as self-induced vomiting, out of control binging, high self-esteem in body image 2. What are some known or possible causes of this disorder?
Genetics. Certain people may have genes that increase their risk of developing eating disorders. People with first-degree relatives — siblings or parents — with an eating disorder may be more likely to develop an eating disorder, too.
Psychological and emotional health. People with eating disorders may have psychological and emotional problems that contribute to the disorder. They may have low self-esteem, perfectionism, impulsive behavior and troubled relationships.
Society. Success and worth are often equated with being thin in popular culture. Peer pressure and what people see in the media may fuel this desire to be thin.
3. How many people in the US are diagnosed with the disorder? What are some other relevant statistics that might be helpful for patients?
10-15% of americans suffer from some type of eating disorder
Crude mortality rates were 4.0% for anorexia nervosa, 3.9% for bulimia nervosa, and 5.2% for eating disorder not otherwise specified. They also found a high suicide rate in bulimia nervosa.
4. What are some reasons someone might not seek help for this mental disorder? People with eating disorders may not want to reach out because they think that people will make fun of them or they will have to leave home and stop dieting. They are obssesed with their bodies and want to feel confident. They may think telling others will make them look weak. 5. What other information do you think will help people better understand this mental health condition and seek appropriate help? People should never starve themselves or be affected by the way they look. If they have these feeling they should reach out and talk to a trusted adult.
RESEARCH QUESTIONS FOR MEDICAL EXPERT 1. What are some risk factors in mental illness? And how is the specific mental disorder you researched diagnosed? Risk Factors
Being female. Teenage girls and young women are more likely than teenage boys and young men to have anorexia or bulimia, but males can have eating disorders, too.
Age. Although eating disorders can occur across a broad age range — including childhood, the teenage years and older adulthood — they are much more common during the teens and early 20s.
Family history. Eating disorders are significantly more likely to occur in people who have parents or siblings who've had an eating disorder.
Mental health disorders. People with depression, anxiety disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder are more likely to have an eating disorder.
Dieting. People who lose weight are often reinforced by positive comments from others and by their changing appearance. This may cause some people to take dieting too far, leading to an eating disorder.
Stress. Whether it's heading off to college, moving, landing a new job, or a family or relationship issue, change can bring stress, which may increase your risk of an eating disorder.
Sports, work and artistic activities. Athletes, actors, dancers and models may be at higher risk of eating disorders. Coaches and parents may unwittingly contribute to eating disorders by encouraging young athletes to lose weight.
Diagnosis
Physical exam. Your doctor will likely examine you to rule out other medical causes for your eating issues. He or she may also order lab tests.
Psychological evaluation. A doctor or mental health provider will likely ask about your thoughts, feelings and eating habits. You may also be asked to complete psychological self-assessment questionnaires.
Other studies. Additional tests may be done to check for any complications related to your eating disorder. Evaluation and testing may also be done to determine your nutritional requirements.
2. What are general methods used to treat this mental disorder?
Individual, group, or family psychotherapy.
Medical care and monitoring.
Nutritional counseling.
Medications (for example, antidepressants)
3. Why is it important to identify and treat clinical depression in mental health? Keeping your situation a secret can cause serious health problem if not identified in the earlier stages. This can even lead to death which would prove very harmful. 4. What are some medical science careers available in helping and researching mental health issues?
Assistant Clinical Director
Mental Health Counselor / Social Worker
Administrative Assistant
Researchers on eating disorder
5. What other information do you think will help people better understand this mental health condition and seek appropriate help? The doctor should be kind to the patient and be cautious of their feelings because of the very fragile situation.
RESEARCH QUESTIONS FOR FAMILY/LOVED ONES 1. What are the signs of the mental health disorder that you can identify? You can identify an unwanting to eat, skipping meals, making excuses, avoiding people, staying alone, dieting, keeping secrets and an unsocial personality. 2. What are some common symptoms that patients experience when affected by the specific mental health disorder that you have been assigned? Common symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa are Inadequate food intake, intense fear of weight gain and obsession with preventing weight gain, high self-esteem in body image, inability to appreciate the severity of the situation, refusal to eat Common symptoms of Binge Eating are frequent episodes of consuming large amounts of food but without trying to prevent weight gain, feeling of being out of control while eating, strong shame or guilt while binging, shame Common symptoms of Bulimia Nervosa are frequent episodes of consuming large amounts of food followed by behaviors to prevent weight gain, such as self-induced vomiting, out of control binging, high self-esteem in body image List at least three local mental health resources/services available for helping and supporting people affected with this mental disorder as well as their family members.
Services and facilities
Atlanta center for eating disorders
Center for discovery Atlanta
Castlewood Treatment centers
3. List at least three online resources with reliable information about this mental health condition and explain why you consider them credible. Mayo Clinic- It is a commonly used website where lots of information can be found on many medical topics. The ending letters are .org so that means it is credible. http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org- This is the official Eating Disorder website and has a .org on the end which means it is approved. https://medlineplus.gov- The ending is .gov which means it is a government approved website and is very credible. 4. What other information do you think will help people better understand this mental health condition and seek appropriate help? Always know what is happening to your loved ones, care for them, and be on top of their health records Sources: