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What are the different types of eating disorders? Learn more about the characteristics of eating disorders!
Eating disorders often start slowly. In the beginning, there is usually dissatisfaction with one’s own weight and dieting is started. At some point, thoughts turn only to the topics of food, weight and figure. Those affected have a great fear of getting fat. Changes in eating behavior occur, which can have a detrimental effect on health and well-being. Eating disorders are an expression of psychological stress and serious illnesses.
Forms of eating disorders
Eating disorders are divided into different forms, namely anorexia (anorexia), bulimia (binge eating) and binge eating.
Anorexia: Sufferers have a great fear of gaining weight, although they have too little body weight. They have brought about this low weight themselves, for example by eating very little, strictly avoiding certain foods, and doing an extreme amount of exercise,… People who suffer from anorexia perceive their body differently. They feel too fat themselves, although other people, for example, are already worried about being underweight. Anorexia can have serious health and life-threatening consequences.
Bulimia: People with bulimia have so-called “ravenous hunger attacks”. Bulimics eat very large amounts of food and then do everything they can to avoid gaining weight. For example, they exercise excessively, take laxatives or induce vomiting themselves.
Binge eating: Binge eating refers to recurrent binge eating without any subsequent countermeasures. During the binge eating episode, it is difficult for the person affected to stop eating. Often, they eat until an unpleasant feeling of fullness sets in. Those affected suffer from their binge eating. They often feel bad, depressed and guilty afterwards.
Obesity: Obesity is not currently classified as an eating disorder in the psychological diagnostic scheme, but it is mentioned here because it is also a disorder in which food and nutrition play an important role. The problem with obesity is that those affected suffer from severe overweight.
Eating disorders often start with a simple diet, over which control is then lost. Well-being and self-worth then become increasingly dependent on weight or weight loss. The preoccupation with weight and food takes up a lot of space in the mind and usually becomes more and more obsessive over time. This inner fixation on everything to do with food and weight is exhausting and consumes a lot of time during the day – it increasingly crowds out other important things such as friends, family, and other interests, fun….
There are also many mixed forms of eating disorders or other disorders that occur together.
TIP:
Eating disorders are usually associated with a lot of unpleasant feelings. Maybe you notice that you put a lot of pressure on yourself about food? Maybe you feel ashamed or guilty about your eating behavior? We are here for you in our counseling services, whether you are worried about your weight, want to find out if you might have an eating disorder, are looking for help or just want to talk or write to us about eating confidentially and anonymously.
Help with eating disorders
There are different kinds of help available for eating disorders. Possible physical consequences or problems of the eating disorder should always be clarified with a doctor. For the treatment of eating disorders, there are counseling centers, outpatient or inpatient help at clinics or psychotherapy with psychotherapists in private practice.
Helping someone else with an eating disorder
What can you do if someone confides in you that they have an eating disorder?
It is certainly not easy for people with an eating disorder to confide in someone else, because many suffer from feelings of shame and an eating disorder is also associated with many fears.
If someone confides in you, an important step has been taken because they have decided not to remain alone with their feelings and worries. Listening and simply being there is certainly good for those affected. You don’t have to put pressure on yourself or the other person or give them advice about the eating disorder. However, you could tell the person that you are worried, e.g. that you notice that they are not well, that you feel that they are unhappy or that you are worried about the possible effects on their physical health.
It may also be appropriate to ask if she would like to go to a counseling center (anonymously) for help. We are also happy to discuss with you how you can support someone in our counseling services!
For further help and support — Speak with a licensed therapist today.