Eating is one of our innate survival drives that initiates appetite resulting in the intake of food. Like breathing and reproduction these drives are hardwired into every human being.

Most of us think about food daily – what we’ll cook for dinner, what we need to shop for, dining out etc. This is normal. It is considered typical at times of stress that we may eat less, or have no appetite. i.e. Loss of a loved one or a traumatic event can induce a supressed appetite. This is our natural way of self-preservation in case the need for fight or flight occurs, eating and digestion will not get in the way or use up valuable energy. Feelings of nausea and or vomiting during a particularly stressful time are common. We may also restrain from eating certain foods at times of dieting or in pursuit of fitness. Changing eating habits from time to time is measured ordinary. However, if you are eating less or eating more than what is considered a balanced diet for your height and weight consistently over a long period of time (usually at least a year) this could indicate a progressive eating problem leading to an eating disorder.

What's the difference between an eating problem and an eating disorder?

• An eating problem is any kind of relationship with food that you are finding difficult.

• An eating disorder is usually medically diagnosed taking account of your signs and symptoms. A doctor will look at your eating patterns to make a diagnosis. They may measure your weight or body mass index (BMI), and or take blood tests. The following are all categorised as Eating Disorders (ED’s).

Anorexia Nervosa

Classified medically as a serious health condition. Manifests physically with typical individuals presenting as chronically underweight and with abnormally low BMI. Anorexics keep their weight low by restricting intake, using laxatives, and excessively over exercising. Sufferers often go to great lengths to hide their behaviour; Wearing baggy loose-fitting clothes, secretly using laxatives, and exercising on their own.

A tragic sign of Anorexia Nervosa is the distorted image victims have of themselves despite what family and friends may say. Severely underweight Anorexic’s may require urgent physical medical intervention via hospital admission to counter biological effects Anorexia Nervosa has on the body before underlying psychological cause is treated.

Anorexia Nervosa is directly linked with poor mental health. With psychological associations to depression, low self-esteem, addiction and self-harm.

Bulimia Nervosa

Usually referred to as just Bulimia. Like Anorexia Nervosa, majority of individuals diagnosed with Bulimia are young females under 35 years of age. That said, it is not unusual for older females and males to be Bulimic.

In contrast to Anorexia, Bulimics tend to be of normal weight, with normal BMI. Therefore, from those outside the Bulimics world it is difficult to comprehend an eating disorder. Sufferers binge eat, consuming large amounts of food in a short time. Then off load the food consumed by what is known as purging. Purging of food is by induced vomiting and or taking laxatives. Overtime induced vomiting decays teeth and hardens the skin on the knuckles. Signs of Bulimia are poor oral and teeth health, bad breath, graze reddened knuckles. Frequent trips to the bathroom, hoarding food and secretly disposing of food wrappings.

Depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, angry outbursts and lethargy have been connected to Bulimia Nervosa.

Binge Eating Disorder (BED)

Categorised by repeated frequent eating. Signs are like those presented in Bulimics but typically without the purging, tending to be generally unhealthy and overweight with a BMI indicating overweight, obese or seriously obese. Family, friends and GP’s may challenge weight and health of the binge eater, leading to more overindulging. Attempts to diet or restrict intake normally only work in the short-term. Often leading to physical intervention via invasive bariatric surgery to restrict and limit stomach capacity.

Costly surgery on its own is not always the answer as underlying psychological issues are likely to be the route cause.

With less prominence than Anorexia or Bulimia, BED is the most common of all eating disorders amongst adults. A common mistake and myth is the misconception of choice or willpower of the binge eater without exploration of cause.

Low self-esteem, abuse, and depression are linked with BED.

Orthorexia Nervosa

Defined paradoxically as an unhealthy obsession with healthy eating.

Orthorexia Nervosa is probably the most misunderstood of all eating disorders. Only recently recognised by the World Health Organisation, and yet to have a clinical diagnosis in the latest edition of the Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Health.

Quite simply, individuals develop a fixation of eating healthily. Becoming more and more consumed, with normal priorities for living slipping in favour of their obsession to righteous eating and or exercise. Dietary requirements become progressively more restrictive in pursuit of perfect eating, which ironically leads to physical and mental health issues.

Obsessive compulsive behaviour, perfectionism, generalised anxiety and dysfunctional relationships are conditions and  signs related to Orthorexia Nervosa.

To summarise

All the above ED’s are common and we probably all know someone who has an unhealthy relationship with food. Most will not seek help until challenged via family, friends or employers. Like addiction, those suffering with an ED are as much in denial as the alcoholic drinking herself to death. I urge you all to not stick your head in the sand and not be afraid of seeking support.