3 common types of eating disorders and their possible causes

People who are overly concerned about their body weight and appearance can develop eating disorders. If you are very distressed about your physical appearance, you may turn to irregular eating habits that wreak havoc on your health. There are several types of eating disorders that can have symptoms of either under- or over-eating. Bulimia nervosa, anorexia nervosa, and binge eating are some of the most common types of eating disorders. Both men and women can become victims of these conditions. Adolescents or early adults are more susceptible to developing irregular eating habits.

Eating disorders have been classified as medical illnesses that also need medical treatment. Treatment measures for these disorders can be very effective. If you or someone you know suffers from any of these conditions, you should seek professional medical help immediately. If not addressed promptly, the consequences can be damaging. Eating disorders often coexist with other emotional problems such as depression, anxiety disorders, and substance abuse.

• Anorexia nervosa it is a common type of eating disorder. People with this condition have an obsessive fear of gaining weight. Their perception of their body weight tends to be unrealistic as they refuse to maintain their weight at a healthy level. Anorexia nervosa sufferers always think they are overweight, when in fact they are already underweight. They fiercely eat very little food. The consequences of being anorexic are harmful, and these include multiple organ failure, brain damage, infertility, heart problems, and loss of bone mass. There is a high risk of death for people with anorexia nervosa.
• Bulimia nervosa it is another disease of irregular eating. Its symptoms include eating large amounts of food (binge eating) and then compensating for it by forcing yourself to vomit. To alter their binge eating, bulimics can also exercise excessively or take large amounts of diuretics or laxatives. Bulimic men and women are very unhappy with their body weight and appearance. They also fear gaining weight. Bulimics’ tendency to binge and purge is typically done in secret, leaving them feeling guilty, embarrassed, and out of control. The damaging effects of bulimia are severe hydration, gastrointestinal problems, and electrolyte imbalance that can lead to heart problems.
• Binge eating disorders. This disorder is characterized by being out of control when eating. But unlike bulimia nervosa, people who overeat do not purge, exercise excessively, or take diuretics or laxatives after overeating. This is why binge eaters tend to be obese. Due to excessive body weight, people who binge can also develop cardiovascular disease. Those who struggle with this disease may also experience feelings of distress, guilt, and shame from overeating, which in turn worsens their eating disorder.

One facet of the factors leads to the development of eating disorders, although the exact cause cannot yet be determined. Biological factors such as irregular hormonal function, nutritional deficiencies, and genetics have been considered causes. Psychological factors can also be to blame, such as low self-esteem and negative body image. The environmental factors that can cause disorders in eating habits are certain careers and professions that require being thin (modeling and ballet), aesthetically oriented sports that require maintaining a slim body for better performance (ballet, wrestling, gymnastics, diving, rowing , etc.) . Childhood and family trauma, dysfunctional family dynamics, cultural and peer pressure, and stressful life changes are other possible environmental causes of eating disorders.

There are several levels of treatment available, so if you or a family member or friend suffers from any of these eating disorders, you should seek help immediately.