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Common Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are complex, heartbreaking, possibly genetic and they affect 10 times as many women as men.

Today’s magazines, television shows and films promote thinness as something to be strived for, from the teenage years on up. Women who do not fit the “model” mold are made to think they are overweight, especially if they lack a positive self-image. Eating disorders tend to occur more often in industrialized countries, where one to four persons per 100 people are affected.

Many recent studies demonstrate a correlation between eating disorders and other risky behaviors, such as cigarette smoking, drug and alcohol abuse, unprotected sexual activity and attempted suicide. Major eating disorders include:

• Anorexia Nervosa
  Those with this condition literally starve themselves to death in an effort to lose weight because of a completely distorted self-image. Average onset occurs between 14 and 18 years of age. Many anorexics are perfectionists and overachievers who are extremely critical of themselves. In addition to withholding food, many take laxatives and over-exercise to hasten weight loss.
  
  
• Bulimia
  Those who suffer from bulimia usually binge eat and then purge through vomiting and the use of laxatives, diet and water pills and over-exercising. The onset of this disorder is usually late teens to early 20s. Since most women maintain their weight due to the binge-purge nature of this disorder, they can often keep their disease a secret. They may also suffer from substance abuse and depression and often have difficulty dealing with stress and impulse control.
  
  
• Binge Eating
  Also known as compulsive overeating, binge eating is the most recently recognized eating disorder. Characterized by eating large amounts of food in a relatively short period, most binge eaters do so in a privately to avoid embarrassment. Those who experience this disorder feel as though they are powerless to control their eating urges and they usually suffer from extreme shame and guilt.

When diagnosed in their early stages, eating disorders are usually treated more successfully. In later stages, treatment becomes more difficult and relapse is common. Successful treatment usually includes medical and psychiatric management as well as nutritional counseling. In addition, chiropractic care provides a drug-free alternative that has been found to be beneficial in the care of patients with addiction problems, ADHD and eating disorders.