In: Nursing
Eating disorders are psychiatric disorders which are characterized by irregular eating habits and severe concern or distress about body weight or shape leading to damage an individual's well being.
Most common types of eating disorders are :-
a) Anorexia Nervosa :- Individuals have an obsessive fear of gaining weight so they limit the quantity of food intake. As a result, it has damaging health effects such as bone loss, infertility, brain damage and organ failure.
b) Bulimia Nervosa :- It is uncontrollable binge eating and efforts to prevent weight gain by using unappropriate behaviour such as self - induced vomiting and excessive exercises.
c) Bingle Eating Disorder:- In this disorder, the individual will frequently lose control over his or her eating habits. It may leads to obesity and other cardiovascular disorders.
Treatment of Eating Disorders:-
Treatment of eating disorders depand on type of disorders and their symptoms. It mainly includes a combination of psychological therapy ( psychotherapy), Nutrition Education, Medications if necessary and Medical monitoring.
Psychological Therapy :-
It is the most important treatment of Eating Disorders .Different forms of psychotherapy such as individual, family or group are very helpful in addressing the underlying causes of eating disorders. It helps in normalizing eating patterns, improve relationship, mood and thus achieve a healthy weight.
Nutrition Education:-
It focuses on healthy weight restoration and stabilization and provide guidance for normal eating . Registered dieticians and other health professionals providing treatment in this field can better understand the patients as per their symptoms and educate them accordingly about the healthy diet plan.
Medications :-
Medications along can't treat eating disorders. It is most effective when combined with psychological therapy. Antidepressants are most commonly used medications for treating eating disorders especially in case of bingle eating disorder. It also helps to resolve mood or anxiety symptoms which occur with eating disorders.
Medical monitoring :-
Addressing of any types of health issues is of highest concerns in the treatment of eating disorders. Any complication due to eating disorders monitored closely and treatment immediately .