Eating Disorders

Anorexia Nervosa is a type of eating disorder characterised by extreme food restriction, significant weight loss and an intense fear of gaining weight and is usually used as a way of dealing with underlying difficulties.

• rapid weight loss.
• amenorrhoea – when the menstrual period stops.
• fainting or dizziness.
• low energy.
• lack of sleep.
• bloating, constipation, or food intolerance.
• low body temperature and poor circulation.
• hair loss.
• fine hair growth on the face and body.
• changes to skin and appearance, for example, looking pale or developing dark circles under the eyes.

Bulimia Nervosa accompanies episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviours, which are intended to prevent weight gain. People with Bulimia Nervosa experience a sense of loss of control during a binge episode and follow this in engagement with compensatory behaviours. This is usually due to an intense fear of weight gain.

• Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder and a serious mental illness.
• People with bulimia nervosa engage in binge eating and then engage in behaviours to try to compensate for this food intake.
• People can live with the eating disorder for a long time without seeking support.
• This is because people with bulimia nervosa may hide their behaviours.
• Understanding the signs of bulimia nervosa and seeking early treatment is the best way to begin your journey to recovery.

Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is characterised by regular episodes of eating large amounts of food in a short period of time without compensatory behaviours.

• Eating unusually large amounts of food in a specific amount of time, such as over a two-hour period.
• Feeling that you’re eating behaviour is out of control.
• Eating even when you’re full or not hungry.
• Eating rapidly during binge episodes.
• Eating until you’re uncomfortably full.
• Frequently eating alone or in secret.

What is ARFID? Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) was introduced in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) as the persistent failure to meet dietary needs for reasons other than fear of gaining weight, body image concerns, medical or cultural reasons.

To be diagnosed? Persistent failure to meet appropriate nutritional and/or energy needs associated accompanies one (or more) of the following.

Signs of ARFID?

• sensory sensitivities, including flavours, textures, or smells.
• fear of choking, vomiting, or allergic reactions.
• apathy towards food and lack of interest in eating.
• impaired psychosocial functioning.
• fear of food.
• anxiety around mealtimes.
• noted anxiety disorders.
• loss of ‘safe foods’.
• apprehension to eat due to allergic reactions, choking or vomiting.
• small amount of ‘safe foods’.

Co-morbidities related to ARFID:

• Autism spectrum disorder
• Sensory processing disorder
• Anxiety disorders

Disordered eating refers to a wide range of eating disorder-like behaviours however an individual will fall out of the direct criteria necessary to completely be diagnosed as an eating disorder. These behaviours can still exponentially impact an individual’s quality of
life, and requires attention to prevent progression in these symptoms.