Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions characterized by unhealthy behaviors related to food and body image. The most common types include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder.
Anorexia nervosa involves severe restriction of food intake, often accompanied by an intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted body image. Individuals with anorexia may see themselves as overweight, even when they are dangerously underweight.
Bulimia nervosa is characterized by episodes of binge eating, followed by behaviors such as self-induced vomiting, excessive exercise, or fasting to compensate for overeating. People with bulimia often feel out of control during binge episodes and experience shame or guilt afterward.
Binge-eating disorder involves recurrent episodes of eating large quantities of food in a short period, accompanied by a sense of lack of control over eating behaviors. Unlike bulimia, individuals with binge-eating disorder do not regularly engage in compensatory behaviors.
Eating disorders can have severe health consequences, including nutritional deficiencies, electrolyte imbalances, and damage to the digestive system and organs. Treatment often involves a combination of psychotherapy, nutritional counseling, and medical monitoring to address both the physical and psychological aspects of the disorder.
