* A new support group for adults experiencing an eating disorder is being re-launched in Dundee from next week. The Eating Disorders Network is a joint venture between Dundee University, NHS Tayside and BEAT, the leading charity for people with eating disorders and their families. The first meeting is to be held on Tuesday 11th January 2011 and further meetings will take place on the first Tuesday of every month. Meetings are held in the Dundee University Chaplaincy, Cross Row, Dundee, starting at 5.30pm and lasting for 1 hour.
Further enquiries about the group should be made to Fiona at Dundee University by emailing f.y.grant@dundee.ac.uk or by telephoning 01382 384168. Updated 07/01/2011
Eating Disorders Information
Food is an essential part of our lives; we require it in order to survive. We all vary in the foods we like, how much we eat and when we like to eat.
Problems with food can begin when it is used to cope with painful situations or distressing feelings or even to relieve stress, although you might not even be aware that you are doing it.
Eating Disorders are very common, over 1.6 million people int he UK are effected by this illness. The illness does seem to be slightly higher in women than men, although it can affect anyone.
There are many different types of eating disorder's and the three most common eating disorders are:
Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by refusal to stay at even the minimum body weight considered normal for the person's age and height. It is more common among young women on the verge of adulthood although it can affect woman and men of any age. It is difficult to estimate how common it is but surveys suggest up to 1% of schoolgirls and female university students have Anorexia Nervosa although this can be an underestimate.
Anorexia is self induced weight loss caused by missing meals, eating very little or by avoiding fatty foods and may involve taking excessive exercising, using laxatives or diuretics which results in severe weight loss. Symptoms of the disorder include an intense fear of weight gain and distorted body image. Side effects include tiredness, feeling cold, constipation, stomach aches and the weight loss can even cause a hormonal disturbance and woman with anorexia nervosa may have irregular periods or they may even stop. If people suffering from anorexia do not receive treatment they may become chronically ill or even die.
There is various treatment options available depending on individual circumstances to help recovery, the sooner treatment is started, the better chance of recovery.
Typical behaviours of someone with anorexia are: declining meals and food in general ”I've just eaten”, hiding food, increased interest in cooking (the person might prepare elaborate meals for their family without touching the food themselves), wearing loose clothing and many layers, both to disguise the shape of their body but also because they are constantly feeling cold, isolating themselves from others, not taking part in social activities anymore, depression.
There are various treatments available, including occupational therapy, advice on nutrition, cognitive behavioural therapy and anti-depressants. Recent studies have shown high dose fluoxetine to be effective in decreasing relapse rates in anorexia and olanzapine is shown to also work for some anorexia patients. On average it takes 6 years to fully recover from anorexia but the sooner the illness is diagnosed and treatment started the better the chances of recovery.
Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder characterised by repeated episodes of food binges, or recurrent episodes of significant overeating, that are accompanied by a sense of loss of control and a preoccupation with the control of body weight.
The affected person then uses various methods such as vomiting, laxative abuse, and excessive exercising to prevent weight gain. Bulimia is less obvious than anorexia, in that other people would not necessarily know someone was affected from their appearance alone.
There is various treatment options available depending on individual circumstances to help recovery, the sooner treatment is started, the better chance of recovery.
Some characteristics typical to a bulimic: excessive worry about own body shape and weight, repeated episodes of bingeing done in secret, 'chubby cheeks' due to vomiting, damage to teeth enamel, raspy voice, losing hair, gastrointestinal problems.
The weight of someone affected with bulimia often stays within the normal range and sufferers can exhibit normal eating behaviours in company. In recent studies high dose fluoxetine has shown to be effective in treating bulimia.
Compulsive Eating Disorder
Compulsive eating is a variation of binge eating at times when you may not even feel hungry and it is also used to block out upset or distressed feelings.
This eating disorder is a variation of the binge eating disorder. Sufferers eat even when they're not hungry without having the power to stop. This may happen all the time or come and go in cycles. Some compulsive eaters just nibble constantly, others binge and then starve themselves before eating again. Most compulsive eaters are overweight and have low self-esteem.
They may use food as a comforter rather than face up to the underlying problem. Many feel guilty about their habit and aim to cover it up. Men are thought to suffer from compulsive eating disorder more than any other eating disorder.
Support for compulsive eaters: Overeaters Anonymous www.oagb.org.uk
Tips For Supporting Someone With an Eating Disorder:
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Make the person aware of the seriousness of their illness but do not intimidate or threaten them, that rarely help.
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Do not concentrate in finding people to 'blame' for the sufferer becoming unwell (often especially parents will blame theirselves for maybe being on a diet or complaining about their weight at some point).
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Do not change your own eating habits to suit those of the person with an eating disorder, continue to enjoy regular meals to promote normal eating habits and set a healthy example.
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With bulimic/compulsive eaters, making them feel guilty about 'eating all the food' will only add to their anxiety.
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Try to encourage the sufferer to take part in enjoyable activities that will hopefully illustrate to them that life does not resolve around food and thinking about it
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As a carer try to express empathy, listen and support self efficiency
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Draw some lines that cannot be crossed by the person who is ill, for example: you cannot steal or be violent even if these behaviours are linked to your illness
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Offer unconditional love and support to the person and let them knowhow much you appreciate their efforts to get better
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Ask for support for yourself as a carer/friend/family member, your role can be very difficulat and draining and there are carers support groups you can access
For Carers, Friends and Family:
www.needs-scotland.org
www.tcsproject.org.uk - Tayside Carers Project
www.carers.org
www.dundeecarerscentre.org.uk
www.carers.net
Other Websites with more information about eating disorders are:
http://www.b-eat.co.uk/Home - Leading UK Charity for Eating Disorders
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Eating-disorders/Pages/Introduction.aspx
http://www.eating-disorders.org.uk/
http://www.sedig.co.uk/ - Scottish Eating Disorder Interest Group