Why is eating disorders bad

This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Eating disorders are serious conditions related to persistent eating behaviors that negatively impact your health, your emotions and your ability to function in important areas of life. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic.

Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Sim LA expert opinion. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Feeding and eating disorders.

Arlington, Va. Accessed Dec. Hales RE, et al. Washington, D. Rome ES, et al. Eating disorders. Pediatrics in Review. Forman SF. Eating disorders: Overview of epidemiology, clinical features, and diagnosis. Accessed Nov. Eating disorders: Overview of prevention and treatment. Davis H, et al. Pharmacotherapy of eating disorders. Current Opinion in Psychiatry.

Herpertz-Dahlmann B. Treatment of eating disorders in child and adolescent psychiatry. Fogarty S, et al. The role of complementary and alternative medicine in the treatment of eating disorders: A systematic review. Eating Behaviors. What are eating disorders? American Psychiatric Association. National Alliance on Mental Illness. Mixing medications and dietary supplements can endanger your health.

Care should be coordinated and provided by a health professional with expertise and experience in dealing with eating disorders. Many people with eating disorders respond to outpatient therapy, including individual, group or family therapy, and medical management by their primary care provider.

Support groups, nutrition counseling and psychiatric medications administered under careful medical supervision have also proven helpful for some individuals. Family-based treatment FBT is a well-established method for families with adolescents.

Inpatient stays typically require a period of outpatient follow-up and aftercare to address underlying issues in the individual's eating disorder. The exact treatment needs of each individual will vary. It is important for individuals struggling with an eating disorder to find a health professional they trust to help coordinate and oversee their care.

For assistance assessing options for yourself or a loved one who may be struggling with an eating disorder, you can contact the National Eating Disorder Association's Helpline by telephone at or via Click-to-Chat at nationaleatingdisorders. Read stories from people living with eating disorders on The Mighty. Get additional Information about eating disorders at Psych Central. The National Eating Disorders Association NEDA supports individuals and families affected by eating disorders, and serves as a catalyst for prevention, cures and access to quality care.

As the leading not-for-profit organization in the United States advocating on behalf of and support those affected byeating disorders, NEDA's lifesaving programs reach millions every year.

ANAD advocates for the development of healthy attitudes, bodies and behaviors. ANAD promotes eating disorder awareness, prevention and recovery through supporting, educating and connecting individuals, families and professionals. Eating Disorder Hope www. Eating Disorder Hope offers education, support and inspiration to eating disorder sufferers, their loved ones and eating disorder treatment providers.

Eating Disorder Hope resources include articles on eating disorder treatment options, support groups, recovery tools and more. Whether an individual struggles with bulimia, anorexia, body image distortion or binge-eating disorders, Eating Disorder Hope can help. Individuals with BDD suffer from heightened body shame, stemming from both internal and external sources.

The following resources can be used to help you find mental health treatment services, including affordable treatment for those without insurance, in your community. Whether you're insured or not, and whether that insurance coverage is adequate, there are ways that you can find help paying for your care. Eating Disorders. Types of Eating Disorders. Symptoms include: Inadequate food intake leading to significant weight loss. Intense fear of weight gain, obsession with size and persistent behavior to prevent weight gain.

Disturbance in self-image. They also need to have regular medical check-ups to treat the physical health problems. Diabetes and Eating Disorders Type 1 diabetes is caused by genetics. People with Type 1 are born with the problem and cannot fix it by a change in lifestyle. Their bodies do not make enough insulin. They have to give themselves an injection of insulin every day to keep their blood sugar down.

Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in childhood. People with Type 1 diabetes are at increased risk of developing an eating disorder. It may be because they have to pay more attention to food and changes in their weight. People with Type 1 diabetes need to watch their insulin levels very carefully and eat in a way that keeps their blood sugar in the normal range.

Some people misuse their insulin in order to try to control their weight. You can develop Type 2 diabetes as a side effect of being overweight or as a result of disordered eating habits. Their bodies make insulin, but their blood sugar still stays very high. Diabetes can also affect how a health professional treats an eating disorder. For people who have both diabetes and an eating disorder, it is important to co-ordinate diabetes care and mental health treatment.

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