Eating disorders – how to identify them and what to do

culled from:tescohealthandwellbeing.com

You might not think that you know someone who has an eating disorder, but with estimates showing that around two million people in the UK and Ireland are affected, it's quite likely that you do.

What is an eating disorder?

An eating disorder is a mental health problem, which can result from emotional distress. People experiencing difficulties in their life sometimes attempt to regain a sense of control and deal with their troubles by obsessing over their diet.
Anorexia causes a person to severely limiting their food intake. Those with bulimia try to avoid putting on weight by making themselves sick after binge eating.
Using this type of willpower makes the suffer feel more secure about themselves which increases their confidence. In other cases, people attempt to combat their mental imbalance by striving for their idea of physical perfection.
They have a flawed idea of what the “perfect body” should look like, thinking that being severely thin will make them happy. However, as weight loss does not address their mental issues, they will continue taking extreme, unhealthy measures until they receive professional help.

Body image issues can affect anyone

One mother, Amy Cheney, was recently shocked to find that her seven-year-old daughter had put herself on an extreme diet and exercise regime. Her daughter had written a plan detailing her diet and exercise routine. At just 7 years old her child-like spelling didn’t hide the harsh realitvy that there was a major problem. She wrote so 'seventeen poosh-ups (push ups) two times a day' and eat 'two keewee froots'.(kiwi fruits)
The general public were shocked when politician John Prescott admitted he suffers from bulimia. These examples demonstrate that anyone, from a seemingly innocent child to a man in his sixties, can experience body image issues.
Even someone you have a close relationship with could be hiding an eating disorder, so it is important to look out for the signs and take action before it is too late.

What are the signs of an eating disorder?

One of the most telling signs is a dramatic change in someone's weight. Sufferers may attempt to hide their body underneath baggy clothes, but if you are concerned about a person's gaunt face or thinning arms it’s important that you take action.
People with eating disorders are normally obsessed with diet and physical activity, so if you notice friends or family members paying careful attention to calories and fat content, spending hours at the gym each night, or constantly worrying about their size, alarm bells should be ringing. Those affected might also play around with their food, eat tiny portions, avoid eating in front of other people, or spend a suspicious amount of time in the bathroom immediately after meals.

What to do when you suspect an eating disorder

If an adult friend or family member is exhibiting the symptoms of a disorder, you should have a private conversation with them. Be supportive rather than judgmental, and tactfully recommend that they seek professional help.
Parents who are worried about their child should carefully talk through the issues and consider getting in touch with a psychotherapist, counsellor or doctor. Promoting a positive attitude to food is vital, as is encouraging a nutritious diet.