If you or someone you know suffers from an eating disorder, it is important that you seek intervention. Eating disorders, such as Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia can be life threatening. Eating disorders involve both emotional and physical symptoms that must be dealt with. The National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD) states that more than 7 million women and 1 million men within the United States have been diagnosed with an eating disorder. Of these, ANAD estimates that 6% will die and only 50% will be cured.

Types of eating disorders:

Anorexia Nervosa:
A disorder characterized by a prolonged refusal to eat, resulting in emaciation, amenorrhea, emotional disturbance concerning body image, and an abnormal fear of becoming overweight, despite being underweight. Additionally, Anorexia is often associated with emotional stress or conflict. Although the disorder is primarily seen in adolescent females, the number of males being diagnosed is steadily increasing.

Bulimia Nervosa:
An insatiable craving for food, often resulting in episodes of continuous eating, followed by purging, depression, and self-deprivation. As with Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimics are afraid of weight gain, but are different in that they are often at a normal body weight. A common psychological characteristic of Bulimia is guilt resulting from the binge and purge cycle, which often carried out in secret. Purging is achieved with forced vomiting or overuse of laxatives.

Binge Eating Disorder:
A condition characterized by the consumption of large amounts of food over short periods of time. Binging generally occurs at least 2 to 3 times a week over an extended period of time. Unlike Bulimics, the binge eater does not purge and is often obese.

For more information, please visit the sites listed below.
The Renfrew Center
Academy for Eating Disorders
Anorexia Survival Guide
Anorexia Nervosa and Related Disorders
National Eating Disorders Association
Food Addicts Anonymous