How the Brain Works The Facts Visually Explained by DK (z-lib.org)

INDEX Disorders

Although they can occur at any life

stage, eating disorders usually

develop among adolescent and

young-adult age groups. The three

most common types are anorexia

nervosa (or simply anorexia),

bulimia nervosa (bulimia), and

binge-eating disorder (BED; see

panel, below). Diagnosis involves

psychological evaluation as well as

physical examinations, such as

blood tests and measuring the

person’s body mass index (BMI).

Anorexia always involves weight

loss, and a very low BMI is usually

flagged in diagnosis. Those

affected by both bulimia and BED

do not tend to have a low BMI

and may be slightly overweight.

Eating-disorder symptoms include

a preoccupation with weight and

body shape, avoiding food-based

Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are emotional mental-health problems that

include an extreme relationship with food. Most revolve

around an obsessive focus on weight and body shape,

which can damage health and may even be life-threatening.

The bingeing cycle

Those with a binge-eating disorder use

food to numb emotional pain instead

of addressing its psychological cause

positively. The result is a destructive cycle.

Anorexia

nervosa

Bulimia

nervosa

Binge-

eating

disorder

Mainly affects young women.

Involves an obsessive desire

to maintain a low body

weight by eating little and

overexercising.

Bingeing and purging occur

in this disorder. The body

weight is often normal, but

bulimics possess a severely

negative self-image.

Regular excessive eating,

usually planned and

consumed rapidly and in

secret, is followed by

intense guilt and shame.

DISORDER

TYPES OF EATING DISORDERS

DESCRIPTION

activities, eating very

little or overeating

then purging

(self-induced

vomiting), extreme

use of laxatives, and

exercising too much.

Sufferers may also have

stomach problems, an

abnormal weight for

BULIMIA ANOREXIA

In the US, and many other

countries, more women than

men are diagnosed with

eating disorders. However,

the prevalence in men may

be underestimated because

they are less likely than

women to seek help.

FEMALE BIAS

KEY

Men

Women

75%

Women

64%

Women

1. The person eats
   large amounts of food
   rapidly, often in secret, and
   may go into a kind of dazed
   state while doing so.


2. Anxiety rises
   as eating provides only
   short-term relief from
   psychological pain.
   Depression sets in.


3. Anxiety drops
   as eating temporarily
   numbs stressful, sad,
   or angry feelings.


4. Need to
   binge-eat becomes
   urgent; the person often
   buys special food for
   the purpose.


5. Low mood returns,
   bringing with it self-loathing
   and disgust, due to guilt
   and shame associated
   with bingeing.


6. Thoughts of food
   become more and more
   dominant, as distressing
   feelings increase.

their age and height, menstrual

problems or disruption, dental

issues, sensitivity to cold, fatigue,

or dizziness.

Underlying factors

The causes of eating disorders are

not fully understood, but those

affected are more likely to have a

family member with a history of

eating disorders, depression,

substance misuse, or addiction.

Social pressure and criticism may

contribute to a focus on eating

habits, body shape, or weight.

Some occupations, such as ballet-

dancing, acting, sports, or

modeling, where there is a focus on

being slim, are likely to have a

higher number of people with

eating disorders than other

professions. People with eating

disorders may also suffer from

anxiety, low self-esteem,

perfectionism, and sexual abuse.

Treatment includes nutritional

education, psychological or talking

therapies, and group programs.

US_214-215_Eating_Disorders.indd 214 20/09/2019 12:40