Eating Disorders (800) 492-5742 • (231) 922-4850 www.northernlakescmh.org

Facts People pursuing professions or activities that emphasize There are four types of eating disorders: thinness, such as modeling, dancing, gymnastics, wrestling, • Anorexia Nervosa-characterized by an intense and long-distance running, are more likely to develop fear of gaining weight, self-starvation, loss of menstrual eating disorders. periods, body dissatisfaction, misperception of shape or size of his or her body, and a body weight that is 15% Signs & Symptoms below what is considered physically healthy. • Anorexia Nervosa • Bulimia Nervosa-characterized by binge eating - Intense fear of gaining weight (consuming large amounts of food at one sitting while - Belief that they are fat although they are actually feeling out of control), purging (getting rid of food extremely thin by using laxatives, vomiting, obsessive exercise), - Restriction of calories dissatisfaction with body, and fear of gaining weight. - Avoidance of social situations where s/he may have • Binge Eating Disorder-characterized by binge to eat in front of others eating without purging. - Unusual eating habits or rituals • Eating Disorders Not Otherwise Specified-includes - Obsessive or compulsive exercise people with characteristics of one or more eating disorders - Hyperactivity or fatigue but do not fit the diagnostic criteria for any one disorder. - Isolation from friends and family Eating disorders are among the highest in mortality • Bulimia Nervosa rates for mental disorders, with 1 in 10 cases dying from - Fear of being fat starvation, cardiac arrest, or suicide. People with eating - Eating in secret, unusual eating habits or rituals disorders who use drugs to stimulate vomiting, bowel - Goes to the bathroom immediately following meals movements, or urination are in the most danger, as this - Hoards food increases the risk of heart failure. - Mood swings Scientists have found that many with anorexia also - Abuse of alcohol or other substances suffer from other psychiatric illnesses. While the majority - Over-exercising have clinical depression, others suffer from anxiety, - Isolation from friends and family personality or substance abuse disorders, and obsessive- • Binge Eating Disorder compulsive disorder (OCD). - Eating alone and in secret Some people with bulimia struggle with addictions, - Feelings of guilt, shame and disgust about overeating including abuse of drugs and alcohol and compulsive - Eating large amounts of food when not hungry stealing. Like those with anorexia, people with bulimia - Abuse of alcohol or other substances may also suffer from depression, anxiety, OCD and other • Eating Disorders Not Otherwise Specified psychiatric illnesses. People with anorexia or bulimia are - May exhibit a combination of the above symptoms at increased risk for suicidal behavior. Conservative estimates indicate that 5-10 million Causes girls and women and one million boys and men in the The most common trigger for an eating disorder is a U.S. are struggling with eating disorders or borderline weight-loss diet, but eating disorders are the products of a conditions. combination of psychological, physiological, familial, and About 1% of adolescent girls develop anorexia social factors. nervosa. Approximately 2-3% of young women develop Eating disorders appear to run in families, with females bulimia nervosa. About 2% of adults suffer from most often affected, suggesting that genetics plays a part binge eating disorder. About 90% of those with eating in eating disorders. Further, studies of the biochemical disorders are adolescent and young women, but men functions of people with eating disorders have shown that may constitute as many of 25% of those exhibiting binge many have various chemical imbalances in their bodies, eating disorders. Bulimia is as high as 15% in college- suggesting physical causes play a part in eating disorders as age women. Teenagers with asthma, attention deficit well. disorder, diabetes, and other chronic illnesses are reported Behavioral and environmental influences also appear to to experience eating disorders 2 to 4 times more often.

Serving people in Crawford, Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Missaukee, Roscommon and Wexford Counties. Northern Lakes Community Mental Health believes this information to be damages arising from its supply, performance or use, and makes no warranty accurate at the time of publication. While every care has been taken in its of any kind, either expressed or implied in relation to this publication. For preparation, professional advice should be sought when necessary. Northern more information contact Northern Lakes CMH at 1-800-492-5742 or (231) Lakes CMH cannot be liable for any error or omission in this publication or for 922-4850. 11/08 43 play a role. Most people with eating disorders have certain physical appearance is not the key to personal worth, and personality traits: low self-esteem, feelings of helplessness, that our bodies are naturally made to be a certain weight. and a fear of becoming fat. A recent study found that Some other suggestions include: mothers who are overly concerned about their daughters’ • Eating a wholesome, nutritious diet, with a focus on weight and physical attractiveness may put the girl at complex carbohydrates, fresh fruits and vegetables, increased risk of developing an eating disorder. In addition, low-fat dairy foods and low-fat meals, while avoiding girls with eating disorders often have fathers and brothers refined and “junk” foods. who are overly critical of their weight. • Eating at regular times during the day, without skipping meals. Treatment • Getting moderate exercise regularly. Eating disorders are most successfully treated when diagnosed early. The longer abnormal eating behaviors Helping Someone Else persist, the more difficult it is to overcome the disorder and Family and friends who offer support and its effects on the body. Treatments include: encouragement can play an important role in the success • Psychotherapy comes in many forms and can take of the person’s treatment. Here are some things you can place in individual, group or family sessions. In general, do to prevent the development of eating disorders: therapy helps people recognize feelings that trigger the • Build children’s self-esteem. eating disorder and learn new ways to deal with these • Always give unconditional love and accept children feelings. The therapy may also help people deal with regardless of their weight. Let them know everyone’s troublesome people in their life, resolve issues from body is unique and should be valued. childhood, and help build self-esteem and confidence. • Encourage activity and enjoyment of life. • Medication is sometimes used to treat eating disorders. • Help children understand the negative consequences Antidepressants have proven helpful, especially in the of dieting. Help them cope with the pressure to look a treatment of bulimia and binge eating disorder. Other certain way. medical treatment may be necessary to treat and monitor • Do not punish or reward children with food. the physical health problems that often go hand-in-hand Encourage children to eat when they are hungry and with eating disorders. Depending on the severity of the stop eating when they are full, not when they are person’s condition, the person may need to see heart, bone, bored, lonely, or sad. or digestive specialists, dentists, or other types of doctors to • Do not limit caloric intake unless suggested by a help restore physical health. physician for medical reasons. In determining what • Nutritional counseling, usually by a nutritionist, to do for an overweight child, a more important factor is often helpful in creating a safe diet plan and restoring than weight itself is the child’s eating and activity proper eating and nutritional habits. In addition, self-help patterns. Focus on health, not appearance; more groups can provide a supportive environment for people activity, not less food. with eating disorders, their friends, and families. Sources: National Institute of Mental Health, American Helping Yourself Psychiatric Association, National Alliance on Mental Illness, Unfortunately, even when family members confront National Eating Disorders Screening Program, National Eating Disorders Organization the ill person about his or her behavior, or physicians make a diagnosis, people with eating disorders frequently deny For more information contact they have a problem. Recovery starts by facing facts and moving beyond Northern Lakes Community Mental Health them. The largest positive influence in recovery is a strong 1-800-492-5742 desire to end the disorder, no matter the perceived cost, (231) 922-4850 fear of gaining weight, control surrendered, or anxiety- National Alliance on Mental Illness producing foods eaten. A responsive support system is www.nami.org, (800) 950-6264 helpful in dealing with the disorder. It is also important for people who are in recovery to have other areas of their National Institute of Mental Health lives that work well, with activities that they’re proud of www.nimh.nih.gov (800) 421-4211 (depression info) and to which they are committed. Having goals “outside (888) 826-9438 (anxiety info) the illness” is key. Some people define themselves by their (301) 443-4513 (other info) disorder and eventually their lives become centered on being sick. For others, hopes and dreams to marry and have Mental Health America children or start their own business help them pull away www.nmha.org from the illness as they move toward their goals. (800) 969-6642 The best way to prevent disordered eating patterns is to The Center for Mental Health Services maintain a body that is in balance. It is critical to accept that www.mentalhealth.org/cmhs/