What is an eating disorder, and how is it different from disorganized eating? >
Eating disorder is a serious mental health condition characterized by eating behavior. It differs from normal “disorganized eating” from it has frequent, clinically important effects on health and daily functioning, often requiring professional intervention.
What are the most common types of eating disorders? >
Common types include anorexia nervosa (restriction, low weight), bulimia nervosa (binging and purging), and bipo -advertisement food disorders (recurrent binging without compensatory behavior).
What are the warning signs and symptoms of an eating disorder? >
Warning signs are different, but often include changes in food/weight/body size, excessive exercise, deformed body image, mood changes, and frequent trips to the bathroom. Physical signs such as fatigue, hair loss, or dental issues may also appear.
What is the cause of food disorders, and who is at risk? >
Eating disorders originate from a complex difference of genetic, psychological (e.g., anxiety), and sociocultural factors (e.g., media effects, body image pressure). Anyone can develop, but adolescents and young adults, especially women, are often at high risk, although they are all affected by gender and age.
What are the effective treatments for eating disorders? >
The effective treatment involves a multi-faceted approach including psychotherapy (CBT or FBT), nutritional counselling, and medications.