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Eating Disorders

by Audrey Pihulyk

Eating disorders have been in society ever since the overindulgent Roman period, but have been unidentified and little understood until the last twenty years. How prevalent are these disorders today? It is estimated that one in every 100 members of the female population suffer from one of these disorders, and that at least one percent of the female population suffer from anorexia nervosa, and three percent from bulimia nervosa. According to these statistics, in Alberta, 9,500 women are anorexic and 25,000 are bulimic. There are an increasing number of men who suffer from these disorders but who are not included in these figures. Unfortunately, eating disorders can become so severe that hospitalization is required for treatment and in some severe cases death may result. Unfortunately, the death rate for anorexia is estimated to range from one in five to 1 in 100.

Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are the most familiar of the eating disorders, but binge eating disorder is sometimes also included. While these three have similar underlying causes, the behaviours of the victims are different. In the case of bulimia and anorexia, they are vastly different. All of the three eating disorders are characterized by an intense preoccupation with food and accompanied by the irrational fear of getting fat.

Specifically, anorexia is characterized by dramatic weight loss caused by continuous self-starvation and most times is accompanied by the need to intensely exercise. Bulimia, on the other hand, is identified by its bingeing and purging, either by vomiting or by the use of laxatives, emetics, diuretics or diet pills, resulting in frequent weight fluctuations rather than profound weight loss. Interestingly, with this disorder, the body proportions can vary from profound underweight, to normal, to profound overweight. Binge eating disorder, sometimes called compulsive eating, is similar to bulimia, but without the purging. The victims are usually rather overweight and sometimes morbidly so, and as a result suffer from a number of serious health problems.

The behaviours of individuals with eating disorders vary greatly depending on their personality type, but there is always an obsession with losing weight, accompanied by odd habits that surround the preparing and the eating of food.

All three forms of disorders can be life threatening, therefore it is vital to get immediate intervention for the sufferer when the behaviour is first detected. It is also advisable that the family doctor be consulted so that a thorough examination and lab work-up may be completed.

Resources:

1. Search on the Internet typing in: Eating Disorders or related words.
2. Contact the University in your area, many have Eating Disorder Clinics.
3. Call the Eating Disorder Education Organization 1-800-404-3336
4. Contact your local Mental Health Association.
5. Audrey can be reached at 1-866-484-2197 should you want to speak with someone concerning this subject.
   

Nurse Audrey is the “Stress Strategist,” who brings to your audience cutting-edge strategies and thought-provoking ideas, always with a touch of humour. Her motivating keynote and interactive breakouts are described as inspiring and energizing.

Her book: I Really Gotta Quit! Break Free from Eating Disorders & Other Addictions, together with her audio programs are available through her website. To order product, or to book Audrey to speak at your next meeting, email her at: audrey@possibilitiesnetwork.com, or contact her through her web site: www.possibilitiesnetwork.com , or call 1-866-484-2197

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