Eating issues

Eating disorder refer to a group of psychiatric issues related to abnormal eating behaviours, including restriction of food, binging of food, purging or a combination of these presentations. Importantly, there is often a disturbed body image. There are three main eating disorders: anorexia nervosa, bullimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder. Eating disorders are diagnosed over a period of time where those experiencing the above symptoms at a level such that physical, emotional, and psychological health and daily functioning are impaired.

Anorexia nervosa 

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterised by extreme weight loss, or for children, a lack of appropriate weight gain. There is often difficulty maintaining an appropriate body weight for height, age, and stature, and many individuals experience distorted body image. Anorexia nervosa is also usually associated with restricting the amount of calories consumed and can sometimes include purging, excessive exercise, and the use of laxatives. Family-based treatment (FBT) or cognitive behaviour therapy (eating disorders) is recommended by the NICE guidelines as the gold standard treatment modality, alongside close medical and nutritional monitoring.

Bulimia nervosa

Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder characterised by frequent episodes of consuming large quantities of food in one sitting (binging). The act of binging is uncontrollable and impulsive and is often in the absence of feeling hungry. The binge is often followed by a compensation behaviour in an attempt to get rid of the food, such as excessive exercise or vomiting (purging). NICE guidelines recommend cognitive behaviour therapy and dialectic behaviour therapy interventions.

Binge-eating disorder

Binge-eating disorder is an eating disorder involved in frequent episodes of consuming excessive quantities of food over a short period of time, with little ability to control or stop intake, often to the point of discomfort. The binge is not usually followed by compensation behaviours, such as exercise or purging. Binge eating often results in obesity. Treatments available include cognitive behaviour therapy and interpersonal psychotherapy, in conjunction with medical and nutritional support.