Complex Conditions That Impact All Aspects Of  Well-Being

Eating disorders are complicated conditions that can seriously impair one’s physical and mental well-being. Often, they co-occur with other mental health struggles such as anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), which adds to their complexity. Individuals experiencing eating disorders typically engage in calorie restriction, binging, purging, or other disordered eating behaviors as ways to cope with their emotions and experiences. Over time and without intervention, these harmful habits can become deeply ingrained and develop into an eating disorder.

Though dangerous, eating disorders are treatable and specialized support is available.

Risk Factors And Types

The risk factors for developing all types of eating disorders involve an array of psychological, biological, and sociocultural factors. How these factors interact with one another and influence a person is unique to each individual. Eating disorders do not discriminate and can occur in individuals of all genders, ages, sizes, shapes, sexual orientations, ethnicities, races, and religions. It is estimated that thirty million Americans will experience an eating disorder at some point in their lives. 

There are several types of eating disorders, each with distinct characteristics and diagnostic criteria. 

The most common types of eating disorders include:

• Anorexia nervosa
• Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID)
• Binge eating disorder (BED)
• Bulimia nervosa
• Diabulimia
• Other specified feeding or eating disorders (OSFED)

Signs One Shouldn’t Ignore

Despite the unique intricacies of each diagnosis, there are several indications that one may be suffering from an eating disorder.

Signs that a person may be experiencing an eating disorder include:

• Preoccupation with body shape, size, or weight
• Preoccupation with food or dieting
• Creating rigid rules around food, eating, or physical activity
• Skipping meals or vomiting after eating
• Feelings of discomfort when eating around others
• Withdrawal from social situations involving eating
• Fluctuations in weight
• Gastrointestinal problems, including slowed digestion and constipation
• Menstrual irregularities
• Difficulties concentrating
• Anemia
• Decrease of red or white blood cells
• Underactive thyroid
• Decreased hormone levels
• Low potassium levels
• High cholesterol levels
• Dizziness or fainting
• Persistently feeling cold
• Trouble sleeping
• Growth of lanugo, which is hair that helps the body stay warm when facing starvation
• Dental problems, including enamel erosion, discoloration of teeth, cavities, and tooth sensitivity
• Dry skin, hair loss, and brittle hair and nails
• Impaired immune functioning
  
  

Those struggling with eating disorders often do so in silence due to fear and feelings of embarrassment and shame, which can prevent them from seeking the support they need to get well. If left untreated, an eating disorder can be fatal. In fact, eating disorders are the second deadliest of all mental health disorders.

While the  statistics surrounding eating disorders  are scary, holistic healing and lasting recovery are entirely possible.