Are you worried about the eating behaviours of someone close to you, and are not sure what to do?
Did you know: The single biggest risk factor for developing an eating disorder is dieting?
Other risk factors can include a family history, societal influences or pre-existing conditions such as anxiety or depression.
The Truth about Eating Disorders
There are a number of common misconceptions around Eating Disorders such as:
Myth 1: Eating disorders only affect females.
FACT: Eating Disorders develop in males and females.
Myth 2: Children cannot have Eating Disorders.
FACT: Eating Disorders can start at any age but often start during the teenage years or earlier.
Myth 3: Only skinny people have eating disorders.
FACT: There are several eating disorders including Anorexia Nervosa; Binge Eating Disorder; Other Specified Feeding and Eating Disorders; and Pica (eating non-food substances).
Not all Eating Disorders result in people being extremely underweight. Some people can maintain a normal weight but engage in unsafe dieting practises.
The most common Eating Disorder is actually Binge Eating Disorder. This is where a person would eat more than most people in a similar period. Often people with this disorder consume large amounts of food alone, eat when not hungry and feel unhappy, guilty, ashamed or depressed afterwards. Episodes typically occur at least once a week for three months and are NOT followed by compensatory behaviours such as vomiting or purging. People with this disorder may do this because of hunger from strict dieting, or may be triggered by body image or weight concerns.
Myth 4: People with eating disorders are only focused on their looks.
FACT: Behaviours associated with the Eating Disorder often serve a function in the person’s life, such as numbing their emotions or helping them to manage a difficult situation.
People with Anorexia Nervosa for example have an intense fear of gaining weight. They may have strict rules around food and exercise and may genuinely perceive their bodies or weight differently to how others see them.
Myth 5: People cannot die from Eating Disorders.
FACT: Anorexia Nervosa has the highest death rate of any mental illness.
Myth 6: My adolescent’s eating behaviour is just part of normal teenage development.
FACT: Ignoring Eating Behaviours at any age allows the disorder to take hold of the person. The earlier the intervention the more chance the person has to recover.
Treatment for Eating Disorders
Research has confirmed that clients with Eating Disorders respond readily to a number of psychological therapies. The great news is that under Medicare a person with a diagnosed Eating Disorder may have access to psychological treatment with a clinician trained in treating Eating Disorders. To find out more, speak with your GP or book a free emotional health checkup at Vision Psychology today to find out more about how to access to these sessions.
Author: Maree Stevens, BAdVocEd; GCert Sp Ed; M SocWk; M HumServ; GDipCouns; GCert MentalHlthPrac.
Maree is a Mental Health Accredited Social Worker with experience and training in treating adults and children affected by Eating Disorders.
To make an appointment try Online Booking. Alternatively, you can call Vision Psychology Brisbane on (07) 3088 5422.
References:
- https://insideoutinstitute.org.au
- https://butterfly.org.au/resources
