When does dieting become an eating disorder?
As each new year arrives, many people resolve to lose weight – it can seem like everyone’s dieting. But when does normal attention to food and health become an eating disorder?
"Eating disorders are much more than trying to lose a few pounds, they are psychiatric illnesses," states Virtua Health adolescent psychiatrist,
James Varrell, MD.
When to be concerned
Types of eating disorders
Eating disorders are treatable
What to do if a friend has an eating disorder
When to be concerned
"You should become concerned when thinking about food, whether it is what to eat or how much you've eaten, becomes a large part of every day," continues Dr. Varrell. "If you are trying to change your entire life through food, you may have a problem."
Anyone can suffer from an eating disorder — young or old, black or white, male or female, no matter what your size. You can have an eating disorder even if you aren’t underweight. However, the majority are female, white and in their teens or twenties
The National Eating Disorders Screening Program estimates that 15% of young women have substantially disordered eating attitudes and behaviors.
Types of eating disorders
Following are three main types of eating disorders:
- Anorexia: suppressing the desire to eat for fear of becoming fat resulting in unhealthy weight loss
- Bulimia nervosa: eating excessive amounts of food and purging afterward, usually by vomiting or using laxatives.
- Binge eating: eating excessive amounts without the purging; often eating is for emotional rather than nutritional reasons.
Eating disorders are treatable
With treatment, people can recover from eating disorders. "Many new medications are being used effectively to augment behavioral modification and psychotherapy," comments Dr. Varrell. "The underlying causes of these disorders are complex and require a range of therapies."
A treatment plan may include psychological counseling, medical care, prescription medication and nutritional counseling.
If you think you are overly concerned with weight, eating or exercise, please talk to a healthcare professional.
What to do if a friend has an eating disorder
The subject of weight and eating behaviors can be hard to raise. But, if you think someone you care about has a problem, you need to bring it up. Here are a few suggestions:
- Learn as much as you can about eating disorders. It will help you to understand what the person is going through.
- Speak to your friend in private when you have time to talk. Start with your concern and love; do not be confrontational or judgmental. Give specific examples of why you are worried, but don't make a diagnosis. Listen.
- Encourage the person to seek professional help and provide specific information. To find a mental health professional, call toll-free 1-888-Virtua-3 (1-888-847-8823). If this idea is rejected, suggest they talk to a clergyman/spiritual advisor, counselor or teacher.
- Be prepared for anger and denial. After repeating that you care, end the conversation if it is not productive or if either of you get too upset.
- Find help for yourself. Talk to a counselor or even attend a support group. Remember that you can't solve your friend's problem for him or her.
- Continue to lend overall support to the person instead of focusing on the eating behavior.
To get well, the sufferer has to acknowledge that a problem exists and then seek help. The best you can do is provide care and support, offer resources and lend an ear.
*If your friend is under 18, after expressing your concern, please tell a responsible adult. It may be difficult, and your friend might be angry, but eating disorders are life-threatening illnesses that require medical treatment.