As many as 10 million females and 1 million males have an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia. Approximately 15 million more struggle with binge eating disorder. Eating disorders such as these involve emotions, attitudes, and behaviors surrounding weight and food issues. Body dissatisfaction and disordered eating attitudes and behaviors are also common, and they can be very painful to manage alone.

Anorexia nervosa is characterized by self-starvation and weight loss. Symptoms include:

1. • Restricting food intake
   

2. • Extreme weight loss or low body weight
   

3. • Absence of menstruation
   

4. • Intense fear of weight gain or being “fat”
   

5. • Extreme concern with body weight and shape
   

Bulimia nervosa is characterized by a secretive cycle of binge eating followed by purging. Bulimia includes eating large amounts of food, then getting rid of the food and calories through vomiting, laxative abuse, or overexercising. Many people with eating disorders also purge “normal-sized” meals. Symptoms include:

1. • Lack of control over eating
   

2. • Alternating between overeating and fasting
   

3. • Using laxatives, diuretics, or enemas
   

4. • Excessive exercising
   

Binge eating disorder is characterized by periods of uncontrolled or continuous eating beyond the point of feeling comfortably full. People with binge eating disorder do not compensate for calorie consumption through purging, but there may be efforts to restrict food, such as dieting. After binges, people often have feelings of shame or self-hatred. Those with binge eating disorder struggle with anxiety, depression, and loneliness, which can contribute to binges.

Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is characterized by food avoidance and highly selective eating. Many people with ARFID avoid food with certain textures, or have a history of food traumas, including choking. ARFID can occur at all ages.

Other eating disorders can include some combination of the signs and symptoms of anorexia, bulimia, and/or binge eating disorder. While these behaviors may not be clinically considered a full syndrome eating disorder, they can still be physically dangerous and emotionally draining.

With proper treatment, people with eating disorders can recover. Treatment generally involves a combination of factors, including assessing the function that the eating disorder serves, learning healthy coping and self-soothing skills, breaking the unhealthy cycles of binging and restricting, and changing thoughts and patterns.

Dr. Dalzell works with a team of clinicians, including nutritionists and family therapists.

If you or a loved one struggle with an eating disorder, please contact Dr. Dalzell to schedule a confidential assessment.