True or False
Eating disorders (including anorexia nervosa, bulimia, and binge eating) are the most fatal mental illness.
True.
Why does someone develop an eating disorder?
Many factors can influence the development of an eating disorder. These factors can be biological (genetic and biochemical), psychological (personality and mental health), and social (including cultural norms about food and appearance).
Which well-known royal suffered from bulimia?
Princess Diana
What are some symptoms for anorexia?
Abnormally low body weight (although this is not always the case), intense fear of gaining weight, and a distorted perception of weight or shape.
What should you NOT say to someone recovering from anorexia or bulimia?
While appropriate weight gain may look great to you, the person you're saying this to may not view weight gain as favorably. Try to focus on their personality and energy as opposed to their physical appearance. For example, saying, “you look really happy today” would be more affirming.
How do you know if you have an eating disorder?
If the way you eat and think about food interferes with your life and keeps you from enjoying life and moving forward, you may be experiencing disordered eating.
Which Harry Potter star battled anorexia?
Evanna Lynch, who played Luna Lovegood
What are some symptoms for bulimia?
Episodes of bingeing and purging that involve feeling a lack of control over your eating. Many people with bulimia also restrict their eating during the day.
What SHOULD you say to someone recovering from anorexia or bulimia?
“I know this is difficult, but I am proud of you.”
“I might not understand, but if you need someone to talk to I will help as much as I can.”
Eating disorders are a choice.
False. Eating disorders (EDs) are complex medical and psychiatric illnesses that patients don’t choose and parents don’t cause.
How common are eating disorders?
Anorexia and bulimia, respectively, affect 0.5 percent and 2-3 percent of women over their lifetime. The most common age of onset is between 12-25. Although much more common in females, 10 percent of cases detected are in males.
Which popular singer dealt with body image issues and eating disorder symptoms earlier in her career?
Taylor Swift
What are some symptoms for binge-eating disorder?
Eating quickly or eating more than intended, even when full.
After a binge, you may feel guilty, disgusted or ashamed. But this isn't compensated for through excessive exercise or purging, as someone with bulimia or anorexia might.
A new round of bingeing usually occurs at least once a week. Someone with BED may be normal weight, overweight or obese.
What’s the best way to talk to someone with eating disorder symptoms?
Find a neutral time to talk. Be sure to approach them in a private place without distractions. Avoid mealtimes, which can be triggering. Express your concerns in a gentle and nonjudgmental manner. Avoid accusations, blaming, and ultimatums. Listen to their feelings. Don’t assume you know how the person is feeling. Give them a chance to talk and simply listen. When they talk, try to be compassionate and understand how difficult this is for them. Ask the person what you can do to help.
Once an anorexic person's weight is restored, they have fully recovered.
Weight and nutritional restoration are only the first steps to anorexia recovery. Once an anorexia sufferer has returned to a weight that is healthy for them, they can usually participate more fully in psychotherapy. Other psychological work usually needs to be done so the person can manage difficult emotions without resorting to anorexic behaviors.
Are certain personality traits more common in individuals with eating disorders?
Individuals who develop eating disorders, especially those with the restricting subtype of anorexia nervosa are often perfectionistic, eager to please others, sensitive to criticism, and self-doubting. They may have difficulty adapting to change and be routine bound.
Which former Disney channel star suffered from binge-eating disorder starting at only 8 years old?
Demi Lovato
What are some symptoms of avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder?
This disorder is characterized by failing to meet your minimum daily nutrition requirements because you don't have an interest in eating; you avoid food with certain sensory characteristics, such as color, texture, smell or taste; or you're concerned about the consequences of eating, such as fear of choking. Food is not avoided due to a fear of gaining weight.
How can you support someone recovering from an eating disorder?
Educate yourself about eating disorders.
Monitor how you talk about food and body image.
Be careful not to reinforce unhealthy eating or a person’s negative views of their body.
Remember that recovery is a process. There will be ups and downs.
Get your own support. You may consider going to therapy or attending a support group.
Since I don't see my friend/family member engaging in eating disordered behaviors, I don’t need to worry about them.
False. Many eating disorder sufferers go out of their way to hide symptoms of their illness, either out of shame or because they are afraid someone will make them stop.
What are contributing external or social factors to disordered eating?
Social media, the pandemic, periods of change, athletic environments, parent(s) constantly dieting/talking about weight...
Which former member of One Direction suffered from an eating disorder early in his career?
Zayn Malik
What are some red flags that may indicate an eating disorder?
Skipping meals or making excuses for not eating, adopting an overly restrictive vegetarian diet, excessive focus on healthy eating, making own meals rather than eating what the family eats, withdrawing from normal social activities, persistent worry or complaining about being fat and talk of losing weight, frequent checking in the mirror for perceived flaws, repeatedly eating large amounts of sweets or high-fat foods, use of dietary supplements, laxatives or herbal products for weight loss; excessive exercise, calluses on the knuckles from inducing vomiting, problems with loss of tooth enamel that may be a sign of repeated vomiting, leaving during meals to use the toilet, eating much more food in a meal or snack than is considered normal, expressing depression, disgust, shame or guilt about eating habits; and eating in secret.
What treatments are available for eating disorders?
Therapy
Medications
Medical treatment and monitoring
Nutrition counseling