Recognizing and Treating Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are most easily treated when they are diagnosed at an early stage, but even when family members confront a loved one about their eating habits, or doctors make a diagnosis, people with an eating disorder often deny that a problem exists.

As a result, someone with anorexia may not receive medical treatment or psychological attention until they become malnourished and dangerously thin. Also, those who have bulimia may maintain their normal weight and hide their illness from others for years, while people suffering from binge eating think that a traditional weight-management program will solve their problems. In addition, eating disorders in males may be overlooked since they are fairly rare in boys and men.

The longer abnormal eating behaviors are dominant, the harder it is to combat the disorder and its effects on the body. In certain cases, long-term treatment may be the only solution. At any point, encouragement and support can be essential to the success of a treatment program.

Anorexia is an eating disorder manifested by the patient's obsession with thinness, which is usually sought through self-starvation. Its symptoms include drastic weight loss related to dieting, intense exercise (or a combination of both), poor self-image, and a determination to be thin and avoid weight gain. Extensive treatment is provided to correct the abnormal attitude, thoughts and behavior that cause this condition.

This disorder is often very hard to treat because the patient may feel that such treatment is unnecessary or have an intense fear of gaining unwanted pounds. Individuals who have lost a significant amount of weight may be unable to participate in their treatment initially because they are too weak or confused to follow directions. At the same time, those with this disorder can recover, and the recommended treatment is based on what the patient needs in order to reach and maintain a healthy weight. Anorexia is often a sign of other problems (such as depression and anxiety) which are treated at the same time with medication when that seems necessary.