Eating disorders are often painted with the same brush as addictions but are actually quite seperate processes that require specialized treatment. People with an eating disorder often have co-occurring mental health issues, particularly ones related to self-esteem. There are several forms of eating disorder that manifest very different symptoms. People with an eating disorder struggle with their self-image and emotional world on a daily basis. This article introduces a few of the types of eating disorders.

Eating disorders lead to dangerous behaviours relating to food. They can usually be traced to deep seated problems with self-image. People who have extremely low self-esteem may develop an eating disorder either in an attempt to feel acceptable or to soothe the feelings attached to low self-esteem.

Eating disorders are more prevalent in women than men. Younger women are more likely to suffer from an eating disorder than older women. However eating disorders can be just as destructive in people from other demographic groups. As yet there is no way to predict which particular form of eating disorder a person will develop.

Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia Nervosa is commonly referred to as "anorexia". This is an inaccurate term to use as "anorexia" simply means a loss of appetite. Anorexia nervosa implies that the loss of appetite is psychological in origin (and not physical or chemically induced). This is the proper way to refer to this devastating eating disorder.

People suffering from anorexia nervosa typically have a very low self-esteem. They show a strong desire to gain control over the world around them. They often struggle with other challenges and may feel depressed, anxious, and generally unhappy. For the person suffering from this eating disorder the only way he/she can be acceptable to other people is to be "thin". However they are unable to accurately perceive their body and so will never ever feel "thin". The eating disorder compounds their negative self-worth and traps them in a destructive cycle of starvation and self-hatred.

Research has suggested at least some genetic link to anorexia nervosa but external environmental factors are thought to be required to trigger off the active phase of the eating disorder.

People suffering from anorexia nervosa are hyper-sensitive to their weight. They have very distorted perceptions of their bodies and even if they are rake thin will see themselves as fat. People with this eating disorder will try to restrict their food intake to an absolute minimum. It is quite common for them to obsessively count calories or measure food portions. The eating disorder convinces the patient that any food places him/her at risk of getting "fat".

Bulimia Nervosa
This eating disorder is also thought to be rooted in a problematic self-esteem. Bulimia nervosa is an illness characterized by cycles of binging on food and subsequently purging it. The binge period typically involves consuming a large amount of comfort foods in a fairly short period of time. Most patients suffering from bulimia nervosa will overeat during this period, eating enough for two or three people. Following binging comes purging where the bulimic purges the food from his/her body. This is usually done by vomiting, but can also be accomplished through obsessive exercise or laxative abuse.

Binging on food is a way for a person with this eating disorder to take out frustrations and anger or to avoid addressing them appropriately. Purging is usually seen as punishment for binging and is typically accompanied by a great deal of shame.

There have been research studies that suggest a genetic link to bulimia nervosa but this eating disorder is thought to require external environmental factors to be triggered.

Signs of bulimia nervosa include frequent purging and significant amounts of guilt of shame. Laxative abuse and over-exercising may also be signs of this eating disorder.

Compulsive Eating (Overeating)
This eating disorder can also usually be traced to a low self-esteem. Of the different eating disorders this one is the closest to substance addiction. Eating food is used as an escape or to fill a void in life much in the same way as an addict or alcholic abuses a chemical.

People suffering from this eating disorder are generally overweight because of their unhealthy eating habits. Although they are aware of how their eating habits are abnormal and unhealthy they are unable to change their attitude towards food.

Compulsive eaters often feel guilty and "worth less than" other people. They will binge on food as a way to cope with stress or pressure. People with this eating disorder use food to deal with any negative emotion or experience.

Some of the signs of this eating disorder include frequent unhealthy eating habits that differ substantially from what is considered normal. If these binges occur particularly in relation to stress or unhappiness the diagnosis of compulsive eating is made stronger.

Over-exercise (Compulsive exercising)
This form of eating disorder doesn't really involve food and is sometimes difficult to explain because exercise is usually considered to be healthy. The person suffering from this eating disorder however will exercise beyond safe levels. They will often believe that they cannot eat unless they have exercised adequately and will exercise in response to eating food.

Signs of this eating disorder include large amounts of exercise by any means.

In closing...
Eating disorders cover a spectrum of behaviours that sometimes overlap. Identifying a problem eating disorder is made a little easier by having access to information, but the task of choosing an effective eating disorder treatment program may still be daunting. There are many specialist eating disorder treatment clinics in South Africa that offer comprehensive treatment. They will address the underlying issues that drive the eating disorder and replace unhealthy beliefs with an accurate and affirming view of oneself. Improving self-esteem and gaining insight into how the eating disorder hijacks thought are included in an eating disorder treatment program in South Africa.

Other Resources

• Academy for Eating Disorders is a multidisciplinary professional organization involved in reseaching methods of education that will help to lower the prevalence of eating disorders.
• American Anorexia Bulimia Association is an American NPO dedicated to preventing and improving the treatment of eating disorders. It has resources for patients, families, and professionals.
• Dying To Be Thin is an American TV show that documents the horrifying consequences of Anorexia Nervosa.
• Eating Disorders Awareness and Prevention, Inc. is an American NPO that offers educational material for school age children up to university students.
  
• Eating Disorders: Disordered Culture is an American university study offering anecdotal accounts of eating disorders.
  
• Harvard Eating Disorders Center is an American NPO involved in researching eating disorders.
  
• Massachusetts Eating Disorders Association is an American mutual support network that provides information and assistance to people suffering from an eating disorder.vey, conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention