Eating disorders

The name ‘eating-disorders’ is a misnomer; eating disorders are not primarily about eating or food; nor are they “slimmer’s diseases”. Starving or binge-eating are symptoms of underlying emotional psychological turmoil.
There is much debite about the nest of treating eating disorders; what works for one person does not necessarily work for everyone else. While dietary monitorino and advice are important, effective treatment must address the underlying, psychological issues.

Treatment must therefore include “talking” therapies. Early recognition and help can prevent seriouc eating disorders developing.
People with eating disorders find that treatment from staff whodo not have an understanding of the condition is not only ineffective but can make their problema worse.
Anorexia and bulimia nervosa usually develop between the age of 15-25 years although symptoms can appear in men and women of all age. In all cases, the original underlying causes usually relate to problema which have occurred before or durino adolescence. About 90% of people with eating disorders are female.
Eating disorders include: anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating, compulsive eating and obsessional behaviour around food. There is more than one set of diagnostic criteria for each illness so opinions vary about precise definitions.
It is therefore understandable that people with eating disorders are ambivalent about treament; they may want to get better, but they fear the consequences of giving up their illness.