Eating Disorders

What are Eating Disorders

Eating disorders have unfortunately become an increasingly common problem. The increasing pressure that is being placed upon women and increasingly men to look a certain way is contributing to the increasing number of people suffering from eating disorders. Eating disorders not only lead to ill health, they also cause the death of many thousands of people every year. They really are a very serious problem.

Common Symptoms Of Eating Disorders

Recognising the symptoms is the first step. However, it is not an easy step. Most people suffering from eating disorders can mask the symptoms very well and it is usually only when the problem has really taken a hold that others begin to recognise the problem. Increased weight loss in a short period, unusually baggy clothes and a seemingly unhealthy obsession with weight and appearance are some of the more common symptoms but there are many more.

Early Diagnosis

The early diagnosis is key to improved recovery from all eating disorders. A reluctance or refusal to maintain a healthy or even near healthy body weight and a physical fear of becoming fat are two of the most common ways to diagnose eating disorders. Denial is also common so a series of questions regarding a patient's body weight and their perception of the ideal weight can provide telling answers.

Treatment And Recovery

Unfortunately, the recovery and treatment processes involved in combating eating disorders can be long and difficult. Solely concentrating on the physical aspects and symptoms will rarely give long-term results and it will usually be necessary to combine this with some form of psychotherapy to retune a patient into believing that a healthy diet is good. Individual, group and family therapies all have their uses and a course of treatment that incorporates all of these methods is usually the most effective way to treat eating disorders. A sympathetic network of support that includes family, friends, doctors and mental health specialists must be offered and maintained.