Looking after someone with an eating disorder can be daunting. However, you are not alone in this. This page will provide blogs from other parents/carers and information for those looking for a better understanding. Expanding your knowledge can offer insight into what they are going through, and give you the tools to help them.
What is an Eating Disorder?
Like the above states, an eating disorder is a mental illness that uses food as a coping mechanism. It can be a form of self-harm; an addiction. It is never a choice. You do not choose to have an eating disorder, is not a life-style or a 'diet gone wrong'. It is SO much more than that. There are also different types of eating disorders, some more common than others. They may vary in how they present themselves, but all eating disorders are equally as serious. Eating disorders can also develop into another- for example if you were originally diagnosed with binge-eating disorder, this can develop into Anorexia or Bulimia. Likewise with OSFED and other EDs.
Bulimia Nervosa
Defined by binge-eating followed by behaviours to avoid weight gain, such as purging or over-exercising.
• 1.5% of women and 0.5% of men experience bulimia at some point in their life-time.
Binge-Eating Disorder
Defined by recurrently eating large quantities of food in a short amount of time until past uncomfortable fullness, whilst feeling out of control of what they are doing.
In the UK, it is estimated that around 1 in 25 people experience symptoms of binge eating disorder.
Anorexia Nervosa
Defined by extreme fear of weight gain, and trying to keep their weight as low as possible by severe restriction. A-typical Anorexia is when an individual meets all the criteria besides a low BMI.
Atypical anorexia nervosa (AAN) occurs more frequently than anorexia nervosa
OSFED - Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder
Defined by experiencing similar symptoms to one (or more) of the eating disorders, whilst not meeting all of the criteria for a diagnosis.
Prevalence of 1.18% for females and 0.27% for males.
OSFED has been shown to be one of the most common EDs, yet it is also misdiagnosed frequently.