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Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia nervosa is characterized by emaciation, a relentless
pursuit of thinness and unwillingness to maintain a normal
or healthy weight, a distortion of body image and intense
fear of gaining weight, a lack of menstruation among girls
and women, and extremely disturbed eating behavior. Some
people with anorexia lose weight by dieting and exercising
excessively; others lose weight by self-induced vomiting,
or misusing laxatives, diuretics, or enemas.
The body is denied the essential nutrients it needs to
function normally, so it is forced to slow down all of its
processes to conserve energy. This “slowing down”
can have serious, life-threatening, medical consequences.
Eating disorders experts have found that prompt intensive
treatment significantly improves the chances of recovery.
Anorexia Nervosa has four primary symptoms:
- Resistance to maintaining body weight at or above a
minimally normal weight for age and height
- Intense fear of weight gain or being “fat”
even though underweight.
- Disturbance in the experience of body weight or shape,
undue influence of weight or shape on self-evaluation,
or denial of the seriousness of low body weight.
- Loss of menstrual periods in girls and women post-puberty.
Click here to learn more about the warning
signs and symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa.
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Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia nervosa is characterized by recurrent and frequent
episodes of eating unusually large amounts of food (e.g.,
binge-eating), and feeling a lack of control over the eating.
This binge-eating is followed by a type of behavior that
compensates for the binge, such as purging (e.g., vomiting,
excessive use of laxatives or diuretics), fasting and/or
excessive exercise.
Unlike anorexia, people with bulimia can fall within the
normal range for their age and weight. But like people with
anorexia, they often fear gaining weight, want desperately
to lose weight, and are intensely unhappy with their body
size and shape. Usually, bulimic behavior is done secretly,
because it is often accompanied by feelings of disgust or
shame. The binging and purging cycle usually repeats several
times a week. Similar to anorexia, people with bulimia often
have coexisting psychological illnesses, such as depression,
anxiety and/or substance abuse problems. Many physical conditions
result from the purging aspect of the illness, including
electrolyte imbalances, gastrointestinal problems, and oral
and tooth-related problems.
Bulimia Nervosa has three primary symptoms:
- Regular intake of large amounts of food accompanied
by a sense of loss of control over eating behavior.
- Regular use of inappropriate compensatory behaviors
such as self-induced vomiting, laxative or diuretic abuse,
fasting, and/or obsessive or compulsive exercise.
- Extreme concern with body weight and shape.
Click here to learn more about the warning
signs and symptoms of Bulemia Nervosa.
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Binge-Eating Disorder
Binge-eating disorder is characterized by recurrent binge-eating
episodes during which a person feels a loss of control over
his or her eating. Unlike bulimia, binge-eating episodes
are not followed by purging, excessive exercise or fasting.
As a result, people with binge-eating disorder often are
overweight or obese. They also experience guilt, shame and/or
distress about the binge-eating, which can lead to more
binge-eating.
Obese people with binge-eating disorder often have coexisting
psychological illnesses including anxiety, depression, and
personality disorders. In addition, links between obesity
and cardiovascular disease and hypertension are well documented.
Binge-Eating Disorder is characterized by:
- Frequent episodes of eating large quantities of food
in short periods of time.
- Feeling out of control over eating behavior.
- Feeling ashamed or disgusted by the behavior.
- Behavioral indicators of binge-eating disorder include
eating when not hungry and eating in secret.
Click here to learn more about the warning
signs and symptoms of Binge-eating disorder.
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The WSC Counseling Center is located in the Student Center,
Room 103. Please make an appointment by calling (402) 375-7321.
Sources:
© 2005 National Eating Disorders Association
(NEDA). Permission is granted to copy and reprint materials
for educational purposes only. National Eating Disorders
Association must be cited and web address listed. www.NationalEatingDisorders.org
- Information and Referral Helpline: 800.931.2237
National Institute of Mental Health: www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/eating-disorders/index.shtml
_________________________
Ron Vick, MA, LPC
Counselor / Academic Advisor
Int'l Student Advisor
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