Why are eating disorders dangerous? (Counseling Strategies!)

Exercise daily – Suppose we tell you an eating disorder is as dangerous as cancer. Then it will not be a wrong statement. We will tell you why eating disorders are dangerous.

In this article, we will tell you about different types of eating disorders, and at least 9% of people in the USA are suffering from eating disorders. In the end, you will be able to understand what an eating disorder is and its types. We will share counseling strategies to help you eliminate eating disorders and return to healthier dietary habits.

Types of eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. You should consult a doctor and seek help if you have any following symptoms. So, without further ado, let’s get started.

 

 

Causes of eating disorder:

There are not many causes of eating disorders, but the most common causes are psychological, environmental, or other mental issues. It can be genetic also. Eating may also occur due to the social pressure of looking thin and smart. Social media has a huge role in the occurrence of an eating disorder.

Symptoms of eating disorder:

Symptoms of eating disorders vary. It depends on the type of eating disorder.

First, you have to understand which type of eating disorder you have. Eating disorder is most common in adults and young people.

They start to think that by eating food they will get fat.

 

Types of eating disorders:

There are many types of eating disorders, but the most common are as follows:

• Bulimia nervosa
• Anorexia nervosa
• Binge eating disorder

Bulimia nervosa:

Bulimia Nervosa is a dangerous eating disorder. It is a life-threatening disorder. It is an eating disorder in which people eat a large amount of food and use inappropriate compensatory mechanisms, including self-induced vomiting, misuse of laxatives, diuretics and other medications, fasting, and excessive exercise.

An individual can use more than one method at once. The lifetime prevalence of bulimia nervosa is approximately 2% in women and 0.5% in men. Bulimia nervosa typically occurs during adolescents or young adulthood. And it is uncommon during late onset.

The binge eating and inappropriate compensatory behaviors occur on average at least once a week for three months. Self-evaluation is unduly influenced by body shape and weight.

Specific current severity:

The minimum severity level is based on the frequency of inappropriate compensatory behaviors. The level of severity may be increased to reflect other symptoms.

Mild:

An average of 1-3 episodes of inappropriate compensatory behaviors per week.

Moderate:

An average of 8-13 episodes of inappropriate compensatory behaviors per week.

Extreme:

An average of 14 or more episodes of inappropriate compensatory behaviors per week occurs.

 Anorexia Nervosa:

Restriction of energy intake relative to requirements leads to significantly low body weight in the context of age, sex, developmental trajectory, and physical health. Intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat or persistent behavior that interferes with weight gain, even though at a significantly low weight.

Lack of recognition of the seriousness of the current low body weight. Two diagnostic subtypes are restrictive eating only and restrictive eating interspersed with purging.

In the general population, the prevalence is approximately 1% in women and less than 0.5% in men. It typically occurs during adulthood and teens, and late-onset cases have been described.

Binge eating disorder:

 

 

An episode of binge eating is characterized by both the following:

Eating in a discrete period is an amount of food that is larger than what most individuals would eat in a similar period under similar circumstances.

A sense of lack of control over eating during the episode.

The binge eating episodes are associated with three of the following:

• Eating more rapidly than normal
• Eating until feeling uncomfortably full.
• When not physically hungry but eating a large amount of food.
• Eating alone because of feeling embarrassed by how much one is eating.
• Feeling disgusted with oneself, depressed, or very guilty afterward.

The minimum severity level is based on the frequency of episodes of binge eating.

Mild: 1-3 binge-eating episodes per week.

Moderate: 4-7 binge-eating episodes per week.

Severe: 8-13 eating episodes per week. 

Extreme: 14 or more binge-eating episodes per week.

Unspecified Feeding or Eating Disorders:

The following are the unspecified feeding disorders:

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder:

An eating or feeding disturbance as manifested by persistent failure to meet appropriate nutritional or energy needs associated with one of the following:

1. Significant weight loss.
2. Significant nutritional deficiency.
3. Dependence on enteral feeding or nutritional supplements.
4. Marked interference with psychosocial functioning.

The eating disturbance does not occur exclusively during anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa, and there is no evidence of a disturbance in the way in which one’s body weight or shape is experienced.

Pica:

Persistent eating of nonnutritive, nonfood substances over at least one month. The eating of nonnutritive, nonfood substances is inappropriate for the developmental level of the individual. The eating behavior is not part of a culturally supported or socially normative practice.

Rumination Disorder:

Repeated regurgitation of food over at least one month. Regurgitated food may be re-chewed, re-swallowed, or spit out. The repeated regurgitation is not attributable to an associated gastrointestinal or other medical condition.

Why are eating disorders dangerous?

Eating disorders are very dangerous because they are associated with significant medical complications, morbidity, and mortality. The following are the diseases that are associated with eating disorders:

Anorexia Nervosa:

Initially, individuals with anorexia nervosa may simply appear underweight. As the disease progresses, patients appear increasingly cachectic in their appearance. Common physical findings at this stage include soft, downy hair growth on the face and extremities, dry skin and hair, cold intolerance, edema, and primary and secondary amenorrhea.

The degree of symptomatology varies from person to person and with the duration of the illness. Cardiovascular complications may include bradycardia, hypotension, cardiac arrhythmias, and pericardial effusion.

Gastrointestinal complications secondary to starvation include delayed gastric emptying, decreased small bowel motility, and constipation. Bone loss occurs frequently, and bone mineral density(BMD) findings consistent with osteopenia in early illness, and osteoporosis later in the course of the disease, have been described.

 Bulimia Nervosa:

Clinical signs and symptoms of Bulimia nervosa are more difficult to detect; patients are usually of normal weight and secretive in behavior. Gastrointestinal complaints are common in individuals with bulimia nervosa who use vomiting as a purging method.

These may include sore throat, dysphagia, gastrointestinal reflux, esophagitis, and subconjunctival hemorrhage. Vomiting, laxative misuse, and diuretic misuse are associated with fluid and acid-base imbalances.

Hypokalemic, hypochloremia metabolic alkalosis occurs in patients who vomit and abuse diuretics. Individuals with bulimia nervosa may experience menstrual irregularity, leading to the mistaken belief that they are unable to conceive.

Binge-eating Disorder:

The main feature of Binge- eating Disorder is episodes of excessive eating. In many cases, but not at all, this binge eating results in overweight and obesity, yet causes greater functional impairment, decreased quality of life, and greater levels of psychiatric comorbidity than obesity without BED.

Counseling Strategies Using The Stages Of Changes Model In Eating Disorders:

Stage of Change: Counselling strategy

Precontemplation:

• Establish report
• Assess nutrition knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes. Likes, safe and risky foods, forbidden foods, binge and purge foods.
• Assess physical, anthropometric, and metabolic status.
• Assess the level of motivation.
• Use motivational interviewing techniques.

Contemplation:

• Identify behaviors to change and prioritize.
• Identify barriers to change.
• Identify coping mechanisms.
• Identify support systems.
• Discuss self-monitoring tools: food and eating behavior records.
• Continue motivational interviewing techniques.

Preparation:

• Implement nutrition-focused CBT.
• Implement self-monitoring tools.
• Determine a list of alternative behaviors to bingeing and purging.

Action:

• Develop a plan for healthy eating.
• Reinforce positive decision-making.
• Promote positive self-rewarding behaviors.
• Develop strategies for handling impulsive behaviors and high-risk situations.
• Continue self-monitoring.

Maintenance and Relapse:

• Identify strategies; manage high-risk situations.
• Continue positive self-rewarding behaviors.
• Reinforce coping skills and impulse-control techniques.
• Determine and schedule follow-up sessions needed to maintain and reinforce positive changes in eating behavior and nutrition status.

Why are eating disorders dangerous? ( FAQs):

1. Are eating disorders genetic?

It is a psychological disorder, but it may occur if this runs in our family. It may have a genetic component.

2. Can adults develop eating disorders?

Eating disorders are most common in adults and teenagers. Because of social media, young adults start to feel that they are not perfect like models on social media. 

3. How to prevent eating disorders?

We must develop a positive body image and also pay attention to nutrition and physical activity. With these strategies, we can prevent eating disorders.

 Conclusion:

Eating disorders are very dangerous, and they are common among young adults and teens. They can cause many clinical diseases. They are reversible. By following the strategies mentioned above, we can return to a healthy lifestyle.

Does this article answer your question, like why are eating disorders dangerous? Let me know in the comment section below.