Eating DisordersSavannah Wells, Alex Burhoe, and Eva Melton

Definition of Eating DisordersAn eating disorder is any psychological disturbance characterized by

abnormal or harmful eating habits.

Eating disorders are behaviors that:

● negatively impact your physical health and your ability to function in

everyday life

● significantly impact your body’s ability to get adequate nutrition

● cause damage to emotional and mental health

Special NeedsGeneral Behavioral Signs

● preoccupation with weight, body

size and shape, and physical

appearance

● obsession with caloric intake

● avoidance of meals or situations

where food may be present

● exercising compulsively

Secondary Disorders

● Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

● Depression

● Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

● Anxiety

● Bipolar Disorder

● Multiple Personality Disorder

● Dissociative Disorder

● Substance Abuse

Limiting calorie consumption that leads to extreme loss of weight in

an attempt to control emotions and body image.

Atypical Anorexia Nervosa

Physical Signs

● Extreme weight loss

● Dizzy spells and fatigue

● Irregular heartbeat

● Downy hair on body

● Disrupted menstrual

cycles

● Less than 85 % expected

weight

Behavioral Signs

● Avoiding meals

● Excessive exercise

regimen

● Denial of hunger

Bulimia NervosaPeriods of excessive eating followed by purging

Types: Purging and non-purging

Common alternatives to vomiting are:

● Excessive exercise

● Fasting

● Laxatives

● Diuretics

● Enemas

● or a combination of purging methods

Bulimia NervosaSigns

● Eating in secrecy

● Lack of control when eating

● Switching between periods of

overeating and fasting

● Frequent use of bathrooms after meals

● Chronic dehydration

● Enlarged glands in neck and under

jawline

● Inflammation of esophagus

● Peptic ulcers

● Infertility

● Electrolyte imbalances leading

to cardiac arrest and/or death

Binge-Eating Disorder (B.E.D.)Frequently consuming unusually large amounts of food (quickly

and to the point of extreme discomfort), feeling a loss of control

during the binge, and taking no compensatory measures (like

purging) to counter the binge.

People with BED are often overweight or obese.

Signs

● eating large amounts when not physically hungry

● eating alone due to embarrassment

● eating more rapidly than normal

● eating until feeling uncomfortably full

● feeling guilty or disgusted with oneself after the binge

Efforts to get rid of or undo food after eating through

vomiting or laxatives.

Distinct from Bulimia Nervosa because there are no bingeing

periods.

Signs

● Russell’s Sign: calluses on hands

● Chapped lips

Purging Disorder

Night Eating Syndrome

Signs

● Eating little during the daylight hours

● Has trouble falling or staying asleep. Wakes

frequently to eat.

● Health problems accompanied with being

overweight:

○ High blood pressure

○ Diabetes

○ Heart disease

○ Certain types of cancer

A sleep related eating disorder where the majority of caloric

intake occurs during the dinner until breakfast the next day

PicaThe persistent craving and compulsive eating of

non-food substances like dirt, chalk, hair, paper, ice,

glass, and soap.

Signs

● gastrointestinal problems

● toxic effects (lead poisoning)

● dental problems

● infections

● excessive caloric intake

● nutritional deprivation

Causes

● pregnancy

● developmental deprivation

● poor nutrition (iron

deficiency)

● early childhood (under age

three)

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake DisorderLack of interest in food usually accompanied by fear of negative consequences of

eating (vomiting, allergic reactions etc.)

Not due to lack of resources

Prevalent in children

No significant body image distortion

No significant fear of weight gain

Rumination Disorder

● Repeated voluntary and conscious behavior

● Typically occurs within 30 minutes of eating

● Primarily occurs in infants or people with developmental disabilities

Signs

● Damage to teeth and tissues in the mouth

● Bad breath

● Chapped lips

● Dehydration

● Electrolyte imbalance

● Stunted growth in children

Regurgitating undigested food, chewing it,

and swallowing again or spitting it out.

Specific Tests, Treatment, & MedicationTests

● online screening tool

● self-assessments

● psychological assessments

● eating attitudes test

● physical exams

Treatment

● nutritional counseling

● individual, group and family

psychotherapy

● antidepressants

● restoring adequate nutrition

● medical care and counseling

TR ImplicationsVarious activities to improve their emotional wellbeing.

● Art Therapy

● Dance Therapy

● Meditation

● APIED Process

ResourcesLocal

● BYU Comprehensive Clinic

○ 1190 North 900 East Provo, UT 84602

○ 801-422-3035

● Center for Change

○ 1790 N. State Street Orem, UT 84057

○ 888-224-8250

● Utah Valley Counseling

○ 2230 N. University Parkway Provo, UT 84604

○ 801-407-4134

State

● Avalon Hills

○ 175 E 100 N, Logan, UT 84321

○ 800-330-0490

● Utah Addiction Centers

○ 2590 Prairie View Drive Eagle Mountain, UT

84005

○ 801-766-2233

National

● ANAD- National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and

Associated Disorders, Inc.

○ Helpline: 630-577-1330

○ Email: anadhelp@anad.org

○ http://www.anad.org

● National Eating Disorders Association

○ Helpline: 1-800-931-2237

○ Chat Online:

http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/

International

● Academy for Eating Disorders (global professional

organization)

○ http://www.aedweb.org

○ Knowledge, research, and best treatment

practices for eating disorders