Eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, a form of self-starvation; bulimia nervosa, in which individuals engage in repetitive cycles of binge-eating alternating with self-induced vomiting or starvation; binge-eating disorder, which resembles bulimia but without the compensatory behaviors to avoid weight gain; and atypical eating disorders, in which people may have fears and unusual behaviors associated with eating. Although young women comprise the majority of people affected, eating disorders can occur in any age group. One in ten people with an eating disorder is male.
Eating disorders are psychiatric illnesses that center on food and its consumption. An eating disorder is usually characterized by:
- Excessive preoccupation with food and dissatisfaction with one’s body shape or weight
- A compulsion to engage in extreme eating habits and unhealthy methods of weight control such as:
- Fasting or binge-eating
- Excessive exercise
- Self-induced vomiting
- Laxative, diuretic, or diet pill abuse.
These unhealthy behaviors and preoccupations develop into a ruling passion interfering with physical, psychological and social well-being.
Eating disorders have many causes. They may be triggered by stressful life events, including a loss or trauma; relationship difficulties; physical illness; or a life change such as entering one’s teens, marriage or pregnancy. An eating disorder may develop in association with another psychological problem such as depressive illness, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or substance abuse. Current research indicates some people are more genetically predisposed to developing an eating disorder than others.
SYMPTOMS
Anorexia nervosa is a form of self-starvation. Affected people continue to view themselves as needing to lose weight despite being very underweight. Signs and symptoms may include:
- Rapid weight loss
- Obsessive preoccupation with food, calories and the desire to lose weight
- Excessive dissatisfaction with body shape and weight
- A decrease in variety and amount of food eaten
- Skipping meals and avoiding eating with others
- Excessive exercise
- Self-induced vomiting
- Abuse of laxatives, diuretics or diet pills
- Menstrual irregularities
Bulimia nervosa is characterized by intermittent consumption of large quantities of food followed by compensation for this binge eating behavior by unhealthful means to avoid weight gain. Warning signs and symptoms include:
- Rapidly eating large amounts of food, often alone (binge-eating)
- A sense of loss of control over eating
- Excessive dissatisfaction with body shape and weight
- Feelings of shame and secrecy concerning bulimic behaviors
- Self-induced vomiting or intermittent starvation
- Excessive exercise
- Abuse of laxatives, diuretics, or diet pills
Click here to learn about a research study on bulimia nervosa.
Binge-eating disorder, like bulimia, is associated with the rapid consumption of food and with a sense of loss of control over eating. However, it does not include the compensatory behaviors (such as vomiting, excessive exercise or abuse of laxatives, diuretics, or diet pills) used by bulimics to prevent weight gain. Symptoms include:
- Fear of loss of control over eating
- Bingeing
- Feelings of shame and self-loathing
- Poor self-esteem
Atypical eating disorders include a number of conditions that may be associated with any of the following:
- Fear of swallowing or choking or other physical complaints that prevent eating
- Unexplained vomiting or weight loss
- Eating rituals
- Rumination (regurgitation or rechewing of food)
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Please read the information provided on this website. If you think you may have an eating disorder, consult your docotr, therapist, or school counselor and request a referral to the Eating Disorders Program at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. For more information about the Inpatient and Partial Hospitalization (Day Hospital) Programs, please contact the Eating Disorders Admission Coordinator at (410)955-7896 or click here to send an e-mail. For more information about the Outpatient and Consultation services, please contact the Eating Disorders Clinic at (410)955-3836 or click here to send an e-mail. For referring physicians, please contact Dr. Guarda by email aguarda@jhmi.edu or call the Hopkins Access Line at (800)765-JHHS.
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