What is an Eating Disorder?

Eating disorders are serious but treatable mental illnesses that can affect people of every age, sex, gender, race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic group. We do not know the exact cause of eating disorders. However, we do know that a range of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors come together to spark an eating disorder. While eating disorders are classified as a mental illness, they are unique in that they manifest with physical complications that can lead to serious life-threatening illnesses. Anorexia Nervosa (AN) is the third most common chronic illness among adolescents and young women with AN have a mortality rate twelve times higher than their peers. Eating disorders are not a choice. Individuals with eating disorders typically do not understand the severity of their condition making it difficult to reach out for help. It is critical to pursue early screening, intervention, and treatment.

Types of Eating Disorders

Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by weight loss (or lack of appropriate weight gain in growing children); difficulties maintaining an appropriate body weight for height, age, and stature; and, in many individuals, distorted body image.

Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia nervosa is characterized by a cycle of binge eating and compensatory behaviors such as self-induced vomiting designed to undo or compensate for the effects of binge eating.

Binge Eating Disorder

Binge eating disorder, the most common eating disorder in the United States, is characterized by recurrent episodes of eating large quantities of food; a feeling of a loss of control during the binge; experiencing shame, distress or guilt afterward; and not regularly using unhealthy compensatory measures to counter the binge eating.

Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)

ARFID, previously referred to as “selective eating disorder,” involves limitations in the amount and/or types of food consumed but does not involve any distress about body shape or size, or fears of fatness.

Otherwise Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED)

OSFED, known as Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS) in previous editions of the DSM, was developed to encompass individuals who do not meet strict criteria for anorexia or bulimia but still have a significant eating disorder.

Eating Disorders During Pregnancy

Risks for the Pregnant Person: Poor nutrition, dehydration, cardiac irregularities, gestational diabetes, severe depression during pregnancy, premature birth, labor complications, difficulties nursing, and postpartum depression.

Risks for the Baby: Poor development, premature birth, low birth weight, respiratory distress, feeding difficulties, and other perinatal complications.

Anorexia nervosa: Individuals can be underweight and may not gain enough weight during pregnancy. They risk having a baby with abnormally low birth weight and related health problems.
Bulimia nervosa: Those who continue to purge may suffer dehydration, chemical imbalances or even cardiac irregularities. Pregnancy heightens these health risks.
Binge eating disorder: Binge eating is often correlated with weight gain, which may lead to a greater risk of developing high blood pressure and gestational diabetes.

Diabulimia

Diabulimia is a media-coined term that refers to an eating disorder in a person with diabetes, typically type I diabetes, wherein the person purposefully restricts insulin in order to lose weight. Some medical professionals use the term ED-DMT1, Eating Disorder-Diabetes Mellitus Type 1, which is used to refer to any type of eating disorder comorbid with type 1 diabetes.

Orthorexia

Orthorexia was coined in 1998 to describe an obsession with proper or ‘healthful’ eating.

Photo By: Hannah Lozano Photography

Behavioral Symptoms of Eating Disorders

Behaviors and attitudes that indicate that weight loss, dieting, and control of food are becoming primary concerns
Preoccupation with weight, food, and dieting
Refusal or restriction of certain foods
Appears uncomfortable eating around others
Food rituals (e.g. eats only a particular food or food group, excessive chewing, doesn’t allow foods to touch)
Skipping meals or taking small portions of food at regular meals
Any new practices with food or fad diets, including cutting out entire food groups (no sugar, no carbs, no dairy etc.)
Withdrawal from usual friends and activities
Frequent dieting
Extreme concern with body size and shape
Frequent checking in the mirror for perceived flaws in appearance
Extreme mood swings

Physical Symptoms of Eating Disorders

Noticeable fluctuations in weight, both up and down
Stomach cramps, other non-specific gastrointestinal complaints (constipation, acid reflux, etc.)
Menstrual irregularities, missing periods or only having a period while on hormonal contraceptives (this is not considered a true period)
Difficulties concentrating
Dizziness, especially upon standing
Fainting/syncope
Feeling cold all the time
Sleep problems
Cuts and calluses across the top of finger joints (a result of inducing vomiting)
Dental problems, such as enamel erosion, cavities, and tooth sensitivity
Dry skin and hair, and brittle nails
Swelling around the area of salivary glands
Fine hair on the body (lanugo)
Cavities, or discoloration of teeth, from vomiting
Muscle weakness
Impaired immune functioning

Photo By: Hannah Lozano Photography

At New Hope Counseling & Wellness Center we serve Richland County and Lexington County with Eating Disorder and Nutritionist Counseling Services including...

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Eating Disorder Treatment

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Eating Disorder Counseling

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Binge Eating Disorder Treatment

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Anorexia Nervosa Treatment

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Bulimia Nervosa Treatment

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Family Based Therapy

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Online & Virtual Eating Disorder Therapy

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Other Specified Feeding and Eating Disorder (OSFED)

New Hope Counseling & Wellness Center in Columbia, SC and Atlanta, GA, Florida, and Virginia

Offering Counseling and Therapy for Nutrition, Eating Disorders, Trauma, and PTSD to those in South Carolina, Georgia, and Virginia

The guiding principle of New Hope Counseling and Wellness Center, LLC is to empower and provide individuals and families with the skills they need to be nourished, healed, and restored in order to pursue a life filled with joy and hope. We offer faith-based services for those wishing to include their spirituality as a component in their sessions. While we offer faith-based counseling as one method to achieve this mission, we strive to provide a safe, compassionate, and professional environment for everyone. We do not discriminate, shame or judge and strive to provide quality care to all regardless of religion, gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, weight, physical or mental ability, and marital status.

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