Three forms of eating disorders are distinguished, both in the ICD 10 ("International Classification of Diseases") as well as in its American counterpart, the DSM VI ("Diagnostic Statistic Manual"):
1. Anorexia nervosa
2. Bulimia nervosa
3. Binge eating disorder
Core symptoms of anorexia and bulimia are deliberate weight control, an overwhelming fear of gaining weight (weightphobia) and an overconcern with body shape and weight, usually accompanied by unrealistic overestimation of girth.
With eating disorders body shape and self-esteem are linked close together.
The predominantly female patients desperately try to gain
control over weight and body shape.
Moreover patients develop extensive strategies and rituals of concealing
the problem. Even close family members often do not know about the
hidden problem.
Sometimes severe somatic symptoms are the first recognizable sign of the disorder.
Hidden activities to gain control of weight are multifaceted: measuring calories, daily weight checks, diets, selfmedication to loose weight or to suppress appetite, sporting activities, starving. Family members often are startled and taken aback how extensive and how long this has been going on. It is part of the disorder that patients are embarrassed and hide their appalling problem.
refer to the prognosis. In anorexia as well as in bulimia malnutrition and electrolyte imbalance can lead to sudden death. Death tolls show a 10% risk of anorectic patients to die within ten years, 1% in the bulimic patients group.
Therapy is imperative. As medical treatment shows only little effect psychotherapeutic methods are the therapy of choice. Within the disziplines behavioural therapy as well as systemic and psychodynamic methods are well qualified to deal with eating disorders.
2% of the population are affected. Most patients are overweight, but not all.
Different from anorexia and bulimia men are affected as well. About 35% of the patients
population are male.
Typical symptoms are fast intake of great amounts of meal and unawareness of satisfaction.
Feelings of guilt and embarrassment are present at eating times, afterwards disgust, guilt again
(because of having lost control) or depressive mood are quite common.
Further informations are provided by several internet-pages, partly from governmental institutions (see under the links-button).
If you are aware of an eating problem or suspect someone close is affected, please seek help or advice. The dynamics of eating disorders are quite dramatic and often refer to grave family problems or traumatic experiences. Therefore professional help is required. Do not hesitate. It might be urgent.
