Eating Disorders
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- anorexia nervosa,
- binge eating,
- binge eating disorder,
- bingeing,
- bulimia nervosa,
- eating disorder,
- eating disorders,
- eating problems
About this treatment
Also indexed as:
Anorexia Nervosa, Binge Eating, Bulimia Nervosa
What you need to know
Counseling and nutrition management are both needed to effectively treat eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating. According to research or other evidence, the following self-care steps may be helpful:
- Talk to a therapist
- Work with a qualified professional to help you resolve any emotional issues that may contribute to your eating disorder
- See your healthcare provider
- Get a checkup to find out if your eating disorder has resulted in any health problems that may require medical care
- Mix in a multi
- Add a complete multivitamin to your daily diet to help prevent deficiencies, especially if you are anorexic or bulimic
- Think zinc
- If you have anorexia, help improve your appetite by taking 50 mg a day of this essential mineral, along with 1 to 3 mg per day of copper
These recommendations are not comprehensive and are not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or pharmacist. Continue reading the full eating disorders article for more in-depth, fully-referenced information on medicines, vitamins, herbs, and dietary and lifestyle changes that may be helpful.
About eating disorders
Eating disorders are complex conditions involving psychological factors and nutritional deficiencies. The term eating disorders includes anorexia nervosa, bulimia, and binge-eating.
The psychological factors may include an inability to cope with stress, problems with family and other relationships, feelings of deprivation, and experiences of physical, sexual, or emotional abuse. Psychotherapy is an essential part of the treatment for eating disorders, along with nutrition counseling and medical care as needed.1
A person with anorexia does not eat enough to maintain a healthy weight; she views herself as overweight and is anxious about gaining weight. Anorexia typically begins in early adolescence, mainly among girls, though the numbers of boys developing this condition is increasing. People with anorexia weigh less than 85% of the normal weight for their age and height. Excessive exercise, vomiting, and abuse of laxatives and/or diuretics may also occur. Severe anorexia can be life threatening.
Bulimia, also known as bingeing and purging, is more common than anorexia, and usually affects teenage girls and women in their twenties. It involves a recurring, emotionally driven cycle of compulsive consumption of large quantities of high-calorie food in a short period of time, followed by induced vomiting. Some individuals also use laxatives, drugs that induce vomiting, diuretics, or excessive exercise in an attempt to purge. About 50% of anorexics also purge, and both bulimia and anorexia can coexist in the same person.2 Unlike those with anorexia, some people affected by bulimia maintain normal or even excessive body weight.
Binge-eating disorder is similar to bulimia but no purging is done. It is more common than either bulimia or anorexia nervosa, and people with binge-eating disorder are usually overweight.3
Last Review: 01-21-2009
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The information presented in Aisle7 is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires February 2010.
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