Eating disorders

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICESNational Institutes of HealthNIH Publication No. 07-4901 hoW are We WorkiNg to better uNderstaNd aNd treat eatiNg disorders ? research to understand them, the biological, behavioral and social underpinnings of these illnesses remain elusive.
eating disorders are real, treat-able medical illnesses with complex underlying psychological and biological causes. they frequently co-exist with other psychiatric disorders such as depression, substance abuse, or anxiety disorders. People with eating disorders also can suffer from numerous other physical health complications, such as heart conditions or kidney failure, which can lead to death. eating disorders are treatable diseases. nutritional counseling; and individual, group and/or family psychotherapy. some patients may also need to be hospitalized to treat malnutrition or to gain weight, or for other reasons. more chronic form of anorexia, in which their health deteriorates over many years as they battle the illness.
lyte and fluid imbalances. suicide also can result. other symPtoms may deVeloP oVer time, iNcludiNg: thinning of the bones (osteopenia or osteoporosis) growth of fine hair over body (e.g., lanugo) mild anemia, and muscle weakness and loss low blood pressure, slowed breathing and pulse drop in internal body temperature, causing a person to feel cold all the time restoring the person to a healthy weight; treating the psychological issues related to the eating disorder; and reducing or eliminating behaviors or thoughts that lead to disordered eating, and preventing relapse. and how medications can help patients conquer anorexia, but research is ongoing.
others have noted that a combined approach of medical attention and supportive psychotherapy designed spe-cifically for anorexia patients is more effective than just psychotherapy. but the effective-ness of a treatment depends on the person involved and his or her situation. unfortunately, no specific psychotherapy ap-pears to be consistently effective for treating adults with anorexia. however, research into novel treatment and prevention approaches is showing some promise. one study suggests that an online intervention program may prevent some at-risk women from developing an eating disorder. swollen glands in the neck and below the jaw worn tooth enamel and increasingly sensitive and decaying teeth as a result of exposure to stomach acids intestinal distress and irritation from laxative abuse severe dehydration from purging of fluids often involves a combination of options and depends on the needs of the individual. as fluoxetine (Prozac), which is the only medication approved by the u.s. food and drug administration for treating bulimia, may help patients who also have depression and/or anxiety. it also appears to help reduce binge-eating and purging behavior, reduces the chance of relapse, and improves eating attitudes. 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.
binge-eating DisorDer are similar to those used to treat bulimia.
Psychotherapy, especially cbt, is also used to treat the underlying psychological issues associated with binge-eating, in an individual or group environment. are similar to those used to treat bulimia.
stereotypically “female” disorder.
like females who have eating disorders, males with the illness have a warped sense of body image and often have muscle dysmorphia, a type of d

Source: http://www.2ndchancefoundation.com/images/NIMH_-_Eating_Disorders.pdf