Eating Disorders Awareness Week
February 23 - March 2, 2003

Eating disorders are real, treatable medical illnesses that involve serious disturbances in eating behavior. The most commonly diagnosed types of eating disorders are anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), binge eating has been suggested as a third type but is not yet accepted as a formal disorder. Sometimes eating disorders can occur along with depression, substance abuse, and anxiety disorders. They can also lead to major medical problems such as serious heart conditions and kidney failure, and can even result in death.

The NIMH estimates that approximately 0.5 to 3.7 percent of women suffer from anorexia nervosa in their lifetime. Symptoms for this disorder include resistance to maintaining a healthy weight, fear of gaining weight even when currently underweight, and infrequent or absent menstrual periods. A distorted perception of body image could also point to anorexia. This occurs when a person sees him/herself as being fat or overweight, while actually being very thin or dangerously below the normal weight for his or her age and height. Anorexia usually occurs in teenage girls, but it is also found in adult women and men.

An estimated 1.1 to 4.2 percent of women experience bulimia nervosa during their lifetime (NIMH). Symptoms include recurrent binge eating episodes, followed by recurrent episodes of self-induced vomiting, fasting, excessive exercise, or the use of laxatives, diuretics, or enemas. Because episodes of bingeing are followed by these purging behaviors, it is not unusual for people with bulimia to be within a normal weight range for their height and age. People with bulimia, like those with anorexia, are intensely preoccupied with the fear of gaining weight and are continually looking for ways to lose weight. However, while people with anorexia may starve themselves to lose weight, those with bulimia binge eat and then purge to lose weight.

The NIMH describes binge eating disorder as frequent episodes of out-of-control eating. The main difference between binge eating and bulimia is that individuals with binge eating disorder do not purge their bodies of excess calories. Therefore, many with the disorder are overweight for their age and height. Feelings of self-disgust and shame associated with this illness can lead to repeated bingeing, creating a never-ending cycle of binge eating.

Getting treatment for anorexia and bulimia can be difficult, because people who suffer with these disorders often do not believe they have a problem. Therefore, it is usually necessary to incorporate behavioral or interpersonal psychotherapy, nutritional education, medication, and, sometimes hospitalization, into a treatment strategy. Hospitalization may only be necessary if, for example, the person with anorexia is extremely underweight and at risk of starving to death.

It is very important for family members and loved ones to know that a person with anorexia or bulimia may need long-term help to overcome an eating disorder, including ongoing love and support throughout the process of healing. It is equally important for a person suffering from an eating disorder to know that there is hope and that help is available.