River Oak Center for Children: Eating Disorders

Mental health problems affect one in every five young people at any given time. "Serious
emotional disturbances" for children and adolescents refers to the above disorders when they
severely disrupt daily functioning in home, school, or community. Serious emotional
disturbances affect one in every ten young people at any given time.

For assistance/information call:

1-800-789-2647 National Mental Health Information Center
1-800-969-6642 (press 1) Mental Health America
1-800-273-8255 24 Hour Crisis Line (Mental Health America)
1-240-403-1901 National Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health
1-800-950-6264 National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) www.nami.org

What are Eating Disorders?

Eating disorders often are long-term illnesses that may require long-term treatment. In
addition, eating disorders frequently occur with mental disorders such as depression,
substance abuse, and anxiety disorders. The earlier these disorders are diagnosed and
treated, the better the chances are for full recovery.

Research shows that more than 90 percent of those who have eating disorders are women
between the ages of 12 and 25 (National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, 2003). However,
increasing numbers of older women and men have these disorders. In addition, hundreds of
thousands of boys are affected by these disorders.

What are the symptoms of eating disorders?

•   Anorexia nervosa - People who have anorexia develop unusual eating habits such as
    avoiding food and meals, picking out a few foods and eating them in small amounts, weighing
    their food, and counting the calories of everything they eat. Also, they may exercise
    excessively. They weigh at least 15 percent below what is considered normal for others of the
    same height and age; misses at least three consecutive menstrual cycles (if a female of
    childbearing age); has an intense fear of gaining weight; refuses to maintain the minimal
    normal body weight; and believes he or she is overweight though in reality is dangerously thin.

•   Bulimia nervosa - People who have bulimia eat an excessive amount of food in a single
    episode and almost immediately make themselves vomit or use laxatives or diuretics (water
    pills) to get rid of the food in their bodies. This behavior often is referred to as the
    "binge/purge" cycle. Like people with anorexia, people with bulimia have an intense fear of
    gaining weight. They have at least two binge/purge cycles a week, on average, for at least three
    months; lacks control over his or her eating behavior; and seems obsessed with his or her
    body shape and weight.

•   Binge-eating disorder - People with this recently recognized disorder have frequent episodes
    of compulsive overeating, but unlike those with bulimia, they do not purge their bodies of food
    (NIMH, 2002). During these food binges, they often eat alone and very quickly, regardless of
    whether they feel hungry or full. They often feel shame or guilt over their actions. Unlike
    anorexia and bulimia, binge-eating disorder occurs almost as often in men as in women
    (National Eating disorders Association, 2002). They have at least two binge-eating episodes a
    weeks, on average, for six months; and lacks control over his or her eating behavior.

How are eating disorders treated?

•   Anorexia nervosa - The first goal for the treatment of anorexia is to ensure the person's
    physical health, which involves restoring a healthy weight. Reaching this goal may require
    hospitalization.

•   Bulimia nervosa - Unless malnutrition is severe, any substance abuse problems that may
    be present at the time the eating disorder is diagnosed are usually treated first. The next goal
    of treatment is to reduce or eliminate the person's binge eating and purging behavior.

•   Binge-eating disorder - The goals and strategies for treating binge-eating disorder are similar
    to those for bulimia. Binge-eating disorder was recognized only recently as an eating disorder.