Eating disorders

This is Mai. She’s 15 and she has a group of close friends, with whom she hangs out. They usually get ice cream after school or cook some food together. But recently, Mai doesn’t join them anymore. Something else is on her mind...

Lately, Mai’s been thinking a lot about the way she looks. Her body has changed in the past few years and now she’s very insecure when she sees herself in the mirror. She’s very afraid of gaining weight, and eating makes her feel guilty and anxious. Because of that her habits have changed: she doesn’t eat any of her favourite dishes anymore, and she avoids family meals and activities that involve eating. Mai has an EATING DISORDER.

Eating disorders are a group of illnesses related to thoughts and emotions that make us behave abnormally around food. Many eating disorders can be difficult to recognise and classify. Some, however, give very specific symptoms. These include anorexia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and bulimia nervosa. People suffering from anorexia nervosa often perceive themselves as overweight, even if their weight is much lower than it should be - their body image is distorted.

They are afraid of gaining weight, so they count calories obsessively, and limit the amount of food they eat. They often try to control their weight by vomiting, exercising excessively, or taking laxatives or tablets that remove water from the body - diuretics. As a result, the body becomes deprived of nutrients, and can’t work properly. Normal body functions slow down, sometimes even switch off. All this leads to other health issues: infertility, muscle damage, weakening of bones, and many other physical complications.

In its most severe forms, anorexia nervosa can cause heart failure and death. While people suffering from anorexia nervosa starve themselves, the ones who have binge eating disorder consume large quantities of food in a very short period of time. In daily life they often try to restrict their diets, but when a binge eating episode occurs, they lose control of what and how much they eat. This makes them feel ashamed and embarrassed, so they tend to avoid other people, and eat in secrecy. Overeating related to binge eating disorder often results in serious physical health issues.

These include obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart problems, and insomnia. Consuming large amounts of food is also typical for BULIMIA NERVOSA. The main difference is that after bingeing, people who suffer from bulimia nervosa will take laxatives or force themselves to throw up - a behaviour called PURGING. This cycle of binge eating and purging becomes repetitive, and they lose control over it. They might also want to compensate for overeating by exercising excessively, skipping meals, or trying out different diets.

People with bulimia nervosa usually don’t experience dramatic weight loss like those suffering from anorexia nervosa. They might actually be even slightly overweight, or experience weight fluctuations. Other symptoms of this disorder include enlarged glands in the neck and under the jaw line, chronic throat inflammation, damaged teeth, and dehydration. Bulimia nervosa can also lead to serious physical complications, such as stomach ulcers, perforations of intestines, heart problems, and other conditions resulting from malnutrition. It’s not clear what causes eating disorders.

Most likely it’s a combination of several factors, both biological and environmental. Despite the differences between them, they all negatively affect the health and life of the people who suffer from them. If not treated, they might lead to malnutrition and further serious, or even life-threatening health problems. Fortunately, Mai’s friends and family recognised her illness early, and she is now receiving the help she needs. With proper medical care and emotional support, it is possible to restore both psychological and physical health.

Hopefully, Mai will recover soon, and she’ll be able to enjoy her life again.