Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, 16 years old Divya completed her class 10th studies and exams from home itself, due to lockdown. But when the schools reopened and Divya began to go, because of the being unhabitual of physically going to school and with all the stress of studies, she started consuming food and snacks in higher quantities and frequently. After observing this for a while, Divya’s parents worriedly took her to a counselor, where they came to know that she is suffering from an eating disorder.
Not just Divya, there are many other people who do not pay much heed to their unusual eating habits, which may be a sign of an eating disorder. This later can adversely affect one's health.
Dr. Ravish Pandey, Psychological Consultant and Child Counselor, Delhi, explains that there is no one clear reason responsible for eating disorders. Certain circumstances, genetic conditions as well as mental, emotional or social reasons such as stress, desire to lose weight, sadness, restlessness and family or work-related problems can be the possible causes of this disorder. Under normal circumstances, this disorder can be observed more in adolescents.
Types of Eating Disorders
Dr. Ravish Pandey explains that eating disorders can be associated with either eating too much or too little. Hence, two of the most common types of eating disorders are:
- Bulimia Nervosa
In this condition, a person eats more than necessary and is always worried about his/her weight. These people are unable to control their food consumption and then when they feel guilty about eating too much, they begin dieting and exercising too much to digest the food. Also, in severe cases, the person intentionally tries to puke out everything he/she ate, so that that food does not affect their diet. - Anorexia Nervosa
People having anorexia nervosa are always worried about gaining weight. This is why the person starts eating lesser quantities of food. As a result, the person begins to lose weight and body mass over time, which makes him/her feel weak and dizzy. This problem is more common in people who suffered from obesity in childhood.
According to research, the risk of both conditions of anorexia and bulimia is 10 times higher in women than in men.
Symptoms of Eating Disorder
As per a research published in the British Journal of Psychiatry, the following are the early signs and symptoms of eating disorder:
- Sudden and continuous weight gain
- Being very conscious about body weight and appearance
- Feeling weak, tired and dizzy. Fainting is also likely
- Constant mood swings and irritability
- Distancing oneself from the society
- Anxiety and Depression
- Having trouble thinking rationally or concentrating
- More interest in cooking for others
- Following excessive rules, such as insisting on drinking water only in a particular glass
- Hiding and eating
- A large amount of food goes missing from the fridge or pantry
- Exercising too much or changing exercise patterns frequently
- Finding a way out for not eating
- Using the washroom many times after having a meal
- Dieting too much and unnecessarily
- Being dissatisfied with the appearance, dieting
Treating The Condition
The treatment of an eating disorder depends on the type of eating disorder the person has and its severity. If you notice any unusual changes in your diet or any of the aforementioned symptoms, seek medical help immediately. Dr. Pandey explains that people suffering from this disorder are also given behavioral therapy, cognitive remediation therapy, family therapy and interpersonal psychotherapy according to their condition.
Also Read: Eating Disorder That Can Worsen Your Diabetes: Diabulimia
