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Type of Eating Disorder Determines Treatment

The sooner a person with a particular type of eating disorder is diagnosed and treatment is begun, the sooner their weight can be restored to a normal level for their age and height.

What causes a specific type of eating disorder to manifest itself from the occasional suffering realized by most of the population into a serious illness is a subject still open to debate among professionals. One fact that is agreed upon, however, is that no matter what type of eating disorder is being suffered, they are all dangerous.

Two of the disorders, anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa have been classified as illnesses, while the third type of eating disorder, binge eating, falls into the category of dangerous and possibly uncontrollable, but has not been classified as an illness.

The effects of anorexia nervosa are obvious as the person loses so much weight they may appear to have paper-thin skin stretched over their bones. People suffering this type of eating disorder believe they are still overweight no matter how little they weigh and strive only to lose more weight.

Binge Eating Sign of Bulimia

Some believe binge eating may be a precursor to bulimia nervosa and should be classified as a type of eating disorder illness, as people will eat even when they don’t feel hungry. They feel the need to ingest food to the point that no more could possibly fit. They may then feel disgusted with themselves and eat more to comfort themselves.

Bulimia nervosa sufferers will also eat large portions of food, but with this type of eating disorder they will purge themselves following binge eating episodes. Using diuretic or abusing laxatives helps them get rid of the food they just ate, as does intentional vomiting, making the effects of this type of eating disorder less obvious.

Since they get rid of the excess food, their weight usually does not usually show as with a person who does not purge, their loss of essential vitamins and minerals can make this a dangerous type of eating disorder just the same as anorexia nervosa. Any type of eating disorder is treatable and the sooner the better.

Whether it be completed through an inpatient service or outpatient treatment center, the hardest part of any treatment program is getting the person to admit that a problem exists and agree to treatment. Most times it will take a personal realization that something needs to be done by input by family and friends or the person’s physician can help swing the pendulum of realization in the right direction.