Eating disorders are serious mental health problems that cause people to wrongly think about their weight and often behave in ways, such as eating and exercising, that make their conditions worse. But, they can exert strong influences on physical as well as emotional health. Here are the most common types of eating disorders explained simply:
- Anorexia Nervosa
People with anorexia nervosa are very afraid of gaining weight or think they look overweight, even if they are very thin, and eat very little.
Key signs:
- Eating very little at a time or not eating at all.
- Extreme weight loss.
- Be obsessed with weight or food.
- Tiredness, hair loss or periods skipping physical issues.
- Weakness and organ damage can occur from this disorder.
- Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia means you eat a lot, and then try to get rid of it through unhealthy things such as vomiting or exercising too much.
Key signs:
- Binging – eating large amounts of food quickly.
- The feeling of guiltiness or shame after having eaten.
- Overeating to try to “fix” it by purging (with vomiting,) using laxatives, or exercising excessively.
- So that it’s easier to not notice when staying on a weight that seems normal.
- If not treated, bulimia can damage the stomach, teeth and heart.
- Binge Eating Disorder
This disorder causes people to eat way more food than they need to all at one time, even though they aren’t hungry. Unlike with bulimia, they don’t try to get rid of the food afterward.
Key signs:
- If you eat lots of food in a short period of time.
- Embarrassment – to eat alone.
- Being upset or guilty after eating.
- I gained weight or I just felt out of control with food.
- If this happens, it can lead to health problems like weight gain, heart problems or diabetes.
Treatment for binge eating disorder starts with determining the underlying cause. If you are grieving the loss of a close family member, friend, or pet, you might induldge in binge eating. In this case grief counselling Dubai may be effective for you.
- Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder
When people avoid certain foods due to texture, taste, or fear of bad reactions like choking, not body image, then this condition occurs.
Key signs:
- Super choosy with food.
- Losing weight in children or not growing as expected.
- A diet so limited that nutrition becomes a problem.
- Orthorexia
Thus, orthorexia occurs when somebody becomes so obsessed with the food that they eat being labeled as ‘healthy’ or ‘clean’ food. It can take over their life.
Key signs:
- Avoidance of foods they deem ‘unhealthy.’
- Anxious or guilty of eating certain foods.
- The responsibility of spending too much time planning and worrying about meals.
- Order should be imposed on life, including choosing whom to hang out with, so as to avoid social situations with strict eating rules.
Conclusion
Eating disorders are more than just issues with food; they reach the mind and the body core. While seek help early, they can be treated with the right support. If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating or body image problem, talk with a trusted person or health care professional. With care and understanding recovery is possible. To get eating disorder treatment in Dubai you can try online platforms like Counsel Clinic.
