Question

What are the differences between the eating and personal life of someone diagnosed with Anorexia, Bulimia , or night eating syndrome and what does it takes for someone to overcome these eating disorders.

Answer 1

Eating and Personal life of an individual with Eating disorders:

Eating disorders are psychological disorders characterised by abnormal eating habits. The major Eating disorders are Anorexia nervosa, Bulimia nervosa, Night eating syndrome and pica.

* Anorexia nervosa:

An eating disorder charecterised by self starvation due to an irrational fear of gaining weight.

Eating and Personal life:

Anorexia patient shows refusal to eat, they may lie about eating, the keep apart the dishes in a plate and are so picky, some may weigh food before eating it. It is characterised with very less intake and abnormal weight loss.  

They appear very thin , have a desire of thinnes and fear of fatness. They may turn down the invitation to go and eat at restaurants , parties etc. Over use of laxatives and self induced vomiting are the two habits of Anorexia patient.

* Bulimia nervosa: An eating disorder characterised by a binge - and - purge cycle , extreme over eating followed by self - induced vomiting .

Eating and Personal life:

They show binge eating / intake of large amount of food and to prevent weight gain the may induce vomiting or depends on laxatives or exercises.

They lack the resistance to eat.  After binge eating , they may feel guilty of their habit and in order to prevent weight gain , they may induce vomiting or exercise excessively. Poor Life quality due to associated symptoms such as dehydration, dental cavities, constipation, heart burn , water electrolyte imbalance , sore throat etc. They may also have impulsivity, self harm , low self esteem and compulsive behaviour.  

* Night eating disorder: is characterised by Overeating at night and may associated with sleep problems.  

Eating and Personal life: They eat a lot of dinner, then wake up at night for eating again . They may think that eating is necessary for getting the sleep back again and they eat more amount and more calories at night. They lack appetite in the morning, and they have depressed mood at evening.  

To overcome eating disorders:

* Counselling is necessary :

- to resolve the problem, to motivate them

- to adapt necessary positive life style changes, - to ventilate their feelings and bad incidents at the past life , especially in the childhood.

- to increase self esteem

* Medications:

Antidepressants: SSRIs ( selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) example: Fluoxetine

Anti anxiety drugs : Benzodiazepines

* Nutritional education: Educate them regarding different food items and its values . Teah them regarding healthy eating habits and healthy diets.

Avoid talking about food , and appearance in front of Anorexia patient in acute treatment.  

Assist them to adapt smart eating habits

Instruct the Night eaters to take low calorie and small amount of food at night.

Teach them regarding the Practice of relaxation techniques and stress management.

Educate them about the adverse effects of self induced vomiting and over use of laxatives.  

Cognitive behaviour therapy: to eliminate negative thoughts