An eating disorder is a mental health condition which, if left untreated, can lead to severe physical consequences and mental trauma.

ANOREXIA NERVOSA

An obsessive-compulsive disorder which forces them to achieve the perfect weight as per their belief.

Risks: Extremely low body weight, dizziness, fainting spells, constipation, heart issues, anaemia, chronic fatigue, stomach problems, brittle hair, hair loss, pale skin, dehydration, insomnia, low immune system, malnutrition.

Causes: Bullying, judgement, trauma, low self-esteem, abuse, neglect, genetic disorders, behavioural disorders.

Symptoms: 



• Low body weight
• An intense fear of gaining weight
• Negative body image
• Avoiding or skipping meals
• Spitting or vomiting food after eating
• Eating only very low calorie foods
• Excessive use of laxatives / diuretics
• Irritability
• Isolation
• Insomnia

BULIMIA NERVOSA

Bulimia Nervosa is a disorder in which the person first binge-eats, and then induce vomiting to purge their stomach contents.

Risks: Dehydration, malnutrition, an abnormal heart rate, damage to the oesophagus, digestive problems, change in their voice due to stomach acid irritation, weak muscles, irregular menstruation, mouth ulcers.

Causes: Stress, bullying, judgement, trauma, low self-esteem, abuse, neglect, genetic disorders, behavioural disorders.



Symptoms: 

• Eating excessively
• Unusual beliefs around food
• Low body weight
• An intense fear of gaining weight
• Negative body image
• Vomiting food after eating
• Excessive use of laxatives / diuretics
• Irritability
• Isolation
• Insomnia
  
  

AVOIDANCE / RESTRICTIVE FOOD INTAKE DISORDER (ARFID)

This disorder involves extremely picky eating.

Risks: Sudden weight loss, anxiety, malnutrition, vitamin deficiencies, digestive issues, developmental issues.

Causes: This condition occurs as a result of disruptive psychological patterns, and beliefs, also possible genetic and behavioural disorders.

Symptoms:



• Induced vomiting
• Refusing to eat certain foods
• Isolation
• Poor concentration
• Significantly reduced appetite
• Hair, skin and nail issues
• Weak muscles
• Fatigue
• Fainting spells
• Compromised immune system
• Stomach issues

BINGE-EATING DISORDER (BED)

Binge eating is a compulsive eating disorder.

Risks: Depression and anxiety, guilt, negative effects on both physical and mental health.

Causes: social pressures, hormonal imbalances, wanting to ease depression, anxiety or stress, trauma, abuse.

Symptoms:



• A lack of control over eating
• Believing food can cure depression and anxiety.
• Hypertension
• Eating at odd times
• Diabetes
• Weight gain
• Heart issues
• Lethargy
• Digestive issues
• High cholesterol

RUMINATION SYNDROME

In rumination syndrome, a person regurgitates swallowed food to re-chew it, or to spit it out. 

Risks: Weight loss, damage to tooth enamel, damage to oesophagus, malnutrition, isolation.

Symptoms:

• Bad breath
• Vomiting while trying to regurgitate
• Weight loss

PICA DISORDER

This is a disorder whereby someone consumes non-food items such as dirt, paper, paint. 

Risks: Toxicity, poisoning, blockage of the digestive tract, infections, organ damage.

Causes: Psychological disorders.

Symptoms:



• Cramps
• Pains in the digestive tract
• Blood in the stool
• Constipation
• Diarrhoea
• Nausea
• Vomiting