Eating Disorders Awareness week is the last week of February each year. The goal of this event is to educate the public about eating disorders, how to help someone who has a disorder and a place to share resources. This is a great way to get eating disorders help.

Eating disorders affect people of all genders, as well as people of all ages and colors. It does not discriminate. However, the stereotype of someone with an eating disorder is a thin, young, white girl. Because of this many people who don’t fit this stereotype suffer in silence, feel stigmatized or shamed. In addition, they often feel very alone. This is a major barrier to treatment. Click here for a great video clip of this.

The number of people struggling with eating disorders has increased since the beginning of the pandemic. This is not surprising as people are experiencing a greater amount of distress and uncertainty. Everyone tries to find a way to cope and for some it is by engaging in an eating disorder.

Types of Eating Disorders

I fill focus on the most common ones. Even though someone may not fit all criteria, they may be engaging in disordered eating and still need help.

Anorexia Nervosa (AN)

In order to receive a diagnosis of AN according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual 5 (DSM-5) you need to meet the following criteria:

Severely restrict calories leading to a significant weight loss than is normal for that age/sex

Excessive fear of becoming fat and preventing weight gain

Distress about the way one feels about their weight, base their self-worth on weight, and denying that their body weight is extremely low.

The level of severity is based on BMI (Body Mass Index)

Bulimia Nervosa (BN)

Eat an excessive amount of food (significantly larger than what many people would eat) in a short period of time (eg. in a 2 hour time period) on a regular basis

Experience a lack of control while they are eating

Feeling guilty, or experience self-loathing about the way they have eaten

Purging food by vomiting, laxatives, medications, and fasting or excessive exercise.

Needs to occur at least once a week for a minimum of 3 months

Base their self-worth on weight and shape

The severity of BN is based on the number of times/week the person engages in the behavior.

Binge Eating Disorder (BED)

Eat an excessive amount of food (significantly larger than what many people would eat) in a short period of time (eg. in a 2 hour time period) on a regular basis

Experience a lack of control while they are eating

In addition, the person needs to engage in 3 of the following:

Eating much quicker than usual

Eating until the person is uncomfortably full

Consuming a large amount of food even though they are not hungry

Eats by themselves as they are embarrassed about the amount they are eating

Feels guilty, depressed, or disgusting afterwards

Episodes lead to a marked amount of distress

The severity is based on the number of times these episodes occur.

How to help someone with an eating disorder (from National Eating Disorders Assn.)

Educate yourself on eating disorders

These are all sorts of websites, books, magazines (see below)

Practice what you want to stay

Express your concerns in a warm and loving way

Typically if you start with “I” and state your feelings/fears that is helpful

You may want to mention some behaviors you notice that you are concerned about

Avoid starting with the word “You” as that may put the other person on the defensive

It is best to share what you are seeing that concerns you vs. commenting on the person’s weight or shape

Don’t offer solutions such as saying things like, “Just eat,” or “Just don’t do this or that”

Set up a time to talk when you can be alone with the person

Try to be supportive and non confrontational

The person may not receive it well, that is normal

Encourage them to talk to a professional

Eating disorders can be life threatening, so don’t wait until thing become too severe before you say anything

Also remember that eating disorders are one of the most difficult things to treat.

Resources

Gurze catalog

Screening test to see if you have an eating disorder https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/screening-tool

National Eating Disorders Association

Houston Eating Disorders Specialists (a list of psychologists, therapists, dieticians and other eating disorder treatment providers)

Alliance for eating disorders https://www.allianceforeatingdisorders.com/about/

Find a treatment provider https://www.allianceforeatingdisorders.com/find-treatment/

Having an eating disorder or a loved one with an eating disorder can be extremely difficult. If you love someone with one you may feel scared and powerless.  You might consider seeking help yourself to deal with your emotions, and to get help on ways to address the issue with the other person. If this is something I can help you with, give me a call at 713-304-6554.

Take care,

Debbie grammas