What is an Eating Disorder? 
There are 2 most common eating disorders - Anorexia and Bulimia Nervosa.
Someone with anorexia nervosa worries all the time about being fat ( even if they appear to everyone else as very thing) and eats very little. They lose a lot of weiht and their periods stop.
Someone with bulimia nervosa also worries a lot about weight. They alternate between eating next to nothing, and then having binges when they gorge themselves. They vomit or take laxatives to control their weight.
Anorexia nervosa most commonly starts in the mid-teens. About one in a hundred 16 to 18 year olds has the illness. Bulimia nervosa usually starts when people are a little older. Both are much more common in females, but men and women of any age can develop an eating disorder. Bulimia is more common than anorexia
What causes eating disorders?
The fact is, there's no simple answer to this. For some people, eating disorders may develop partly in response to difficult life experiences such as abuse, or social pressures encountered as part of puberty. Genetic factors can be important, especially in anorexia. For some it is linked to depression. Eating disorders are also more common in cultures where it is considered desirable to be slim- surveys have found that 61% of young women feel inadequate compared to the media's image of beautiful women.
How can you spot an eating disorder?
*There are lots of warning signs, such as rapid loss of weight, eating much less than normal to and makes excuses about having eaten somewhere else. Sometime the person insists on cooking for herself, or refuses to eat with the family, and makes an unusual fuss about certain food types. They may have complained about their weight before all of this has started, and almost certainly has been on a diet.
*Some of the commonest signs of anorexia are excessive exercising and withdrawal from a normal social life. Also important is that the anorexic usually denies that anything is wrong and get aggressive if you try to press the point.
*Bulimia may be suspected when the sufferer consistently disappears to the bathroom after eating. Food may disappear in large amounts or s/he may appear to be eating very well but not gaining weight. Bulimia is a hidden illness since the person doesn't necessarily lose weight, but if this behaviour starts to happen after a period of dieting, people around the sufferer may start to realise something is amiss.
Where can you get help?
If you think you have an eating disorder you should try and see your doctor. If this seems to hard, perhaps try and confide in a friend first. If you think you know someone with an eating disorder, it may be difficult to confront them. Those with eating disorders may not want to admit they have a problem, so be patient. It is important to remember that you are not a professional and can only offer support.
The best UK based charity is Beat - Beating Eating Disorders. They run a confidential support line the details of which are listed below.
Helpline
08456 341414
Monday to Friday 10:30am - 8:30pm
Saturdays 1:00pm - 4:30pm
Sunday ~ Closed
help@b-eat.co.uk
