Eating Disorder

Eating Disorders are serious mental health conditions that can manifest in different ways. Anorexia nervosa is characterized by an excessive restriction of food and/or over-exercising in order to keep one's weight as low as possible. Bulimia entails recurrent periods of binge eating followed by purging in an attempt to control one's weight. Binge eating disorder is characterized by a tendency to consume large amounts of food in a short period of time. EDNOS stands for Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified and is used for diagnoses that contain a mix of the symptoms mentioned above. If you have any suspicion that you may be suffering from an eating disorder, it is important to seek help as soon as possible.

If you are experiencing any signs of an eating disorder, you should seek help. Common symptoms include having a negative perception of your body, frequent weighing, dissatisfaction with body parts, food restriction, compulsive exercise, a need for perfection, purging, fear of being fat, and excessive eating.

Treatment for eating disorders may involve a multi-disciplinary approach and may include psychiatric reviews, working with a GP, and a nutritionist. In certain cases, inpatient treatment may be necessary. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT) and Schema Therapy are the most effective forms of therapeutic approaches for eating disorders.
If you find yourself preoccupied about your weight/body image, engaging in behaviours that involve restricting your eating, or if your symptoms are interfering with your daily life, it is likely that you are suffering from an eating disorder.