Facts About Eating Disorders

Eating Disorders Symptoms

How do you know if you or someone you know has an eating disorder? Eating disorders symptoms vary, depending on the type of eating disorder the individual has and how far the eating disorder has advanced. Eating disorders symptoms also vary from one person to another.

Common eating disorders symptoms, regardless of the type of eating disorder include:

• Emaciation or malnutrition
• Medical complications, such as orthostasis, dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, minor cardiac arrhythmias
• Severe psychological distress, such as major depression with suicidal ideation or self-mutilation, impulse control problems or post-traumatic stress disorder
• A binge-purge cycle that is either severe enough to cause medical complications or that cannot be contained in an outpatient setting and, if continuing, would result in severe medical complications
• Significant abuse of laxatives, diuretics or ipecac
• Eating disorders symptoms that are severe enough to prevent the individual from functioning in daily life activities

Types of Eating Disorders

Walden Behavioral Care treats the following eating disorders:

• Anorexia is a psychological disorder characterized by an aversion to eating and fear of gaining weight.
• Bulimia is a condition where sufferers typically purge food they have eaten by self-induced vomiting, use of laxatives or other means. Some do not purge, but compensate for eating by over-exercising or fasting.
• Binge Eating, as the name implies, is characterized by uncontrollable, excessive eating, followed by feelings of shame and guilt. Unlike those with bulimia, binge-eaters typically do not purge their food.

Before patients are admitted, Walden's Psychiatric Admissions Team (PAT) assesses them and determines appropriate treatment based on their eating disorder symptoms and other criteria. DSM-IV criteria for eating disorder symptoms are used to guide patient placements.

Eating Disorders Causes

Causes of eating disorders vary, but there are usually a number of contributing factors that manifest themselves in eating disorders symptoms. A traumatic event, which may have taken place years before the eating disorder manifests itself, is often a cause of the disorder. Such events may include:

• Sexual abuse or rape
• Emotional abuse
• Parents' divorce
• Death of a loved one
• Physical violence

Other eating disorders symptoms include low self-esteem and a need to gain control.

Helping Someone With An Eating Disorder

If you suspect you or someone you know has an eating disorder do something about it. Eating disorders can be life-threatening diseases. Seek professional counseling immediately.

To learn more about Walden Behavioral Care's eating disorders treatment programs, contact Walden at 781-647-6700 or Info@waldenbehavioralcare.com.