Eating disorders are dangerous mental health conditions that can affect people from all areas of life. They are usually characterised by pain and emotional distress around food or their body image.
Common eating disorders
Eating disorders can take a variety of forms, but there are three common types of eating disorders. Anorexia nervosa is usually characterised by an intense fear of gaining weight, often due to a distorted body image. It leads to major food restriction, as the patient tries to lose weight.
Bulimia nervosa includes periods of binge eating, followed by ways to compensate for this, such as vomiting, laxatives, or excessive exercise.
Binge eating disorder also involves binge eating, but without the compensatory behaviour. In this, the patient consumes large amounts of food without control.
Treating eating disorders
Eating disorders can be difficult to treat, often with the patient being unwilling to seek help. Patients with anorexia nervosa may not realise they have a problem, while binge eating, either with or without the compensatory behaviours, can cause deep shame. Tackling the stigma around eating disorders is crucial to encourage patients to more willingly seek help.
Eating disorders require mental health support and are often featured in mental health training courses. You can find courses through a relevant internet search for your area. For example, mental health training courses Swansea will give results like //www.tidaltraining.co.uk/mental-health-training-courses/swansea/.
If you suspect someone has an eating disorder, first listen to them without judgment. Encourage them to seek professional support. Eating disorders can be fatal, but with the right treatment, a full recovery is possible.
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