Body image is the mental representation that one creates in his or her mind, but it may or may not relate to how others perceive the individual. The skewed view that someone has of his or her body is a culprit affecting people across the globe, where ethnicity, culture, gender, and age may all fall prey to it. According to National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD), approximately 30 million Americans suffer from some sort of eating disorder. Eating disorders hold a record for having the highest mortality rate when compared to other mental illnesses. Statistics indicate that someone dies of an eating disorder every 62 minutes.
Types of Eating Disorders
There are copious numbers of eating disorders and, unfortunately, the statistics mentioned above don’t begin to scratch the surface. Here are few examples of eating disorders:
- Anorexia Nervosa: People reduce the amount of energy intake required for their weight, age, gender, development and physical health.
- Bulimia Nervosa: Individuals consume large amounts of food, and then induce themselves to vomit to stop weight gain.
- Binge Eating Disorder (BED): Eating large amounts of food in small periods of time.
- Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) 14: Children are not just finicky when it comes to this disorder, but they become malnourished because they restrict themselves from eating certain foods.
- Diabulimia: People with Type 1 diabetes purposely misuse insulin to control their weight.
Treatment Methods
Like other mental disorders and illnesses, care should involve a diverse team of experts. It’s recommended that professional caretakers include the following:
- Psychologist
- Psychiatrist
- Licensed Professional Counselor
- Social worker
- Nutritionist
- Primary care physician
Due to the severe toll that eating disorders may have on an individual’s physical health, psychological therapy is not enough. It’s also important, if possible, to incorporate family therapy and support groups. Family-Based Treatment, according to National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), is a method used for patients who are minors.
In severe cases, inpatient care may be necessary; the person suffering from the eating disorder will be hospitalized or placed in residential care.
If you or someone you care about is suffering from an eating disorder, call the NEDA helpline now at 1-800-931-2237. An eating disorder is a serious medical and health concern that needs to be addressed as soon as possible.