A number of volunteers at Somerset & Wessex Eating Disorders Association, drawing on their own experiences of eating disorders, worked together to produce a leaflet about Eating Disorders to be included in the SWEDA Information Pack. The text on this page is taken directly from this leaflet. The full version is available on the Leaflets Page of this web site.

Eating Disorders:  
Anorexia Nervosa; Bulimia Nervosa; Compulsive Overeating.

INTRODUCTION

An eating disorder is a serious emotional and physical problem, in which sufferers use food in different ways, to manage painful issues. It is a coping mechanism to deal with the distress, that the sufferer feels unable to manage in any other way.

It is essential to address not only the very real problems around food but also the underlying factors.

While Anorexia, Bulimia and Compulsive or Binge Eating, seem to have some diverse signs and symptoms they have in common the fact that they are a way for people to use food to cope with uncomfortable life situations.

Not everyone with an eating disorder will experience all the symptoms. It is also true that you may have some or all of the symptoms but still not have an eating disorder.

Anorexia is a condition in which you diet continually and starve yourself. You may be frightened of normal body weight and restrict your food intake. You may also binge, vomit, use laxatives or exercise excessively in order to control your weight. It affects women and men, often starting in their teens.

Many people with anorexia feel that they do not deserve to occupy space. The more weight they lose, the less there is of them to hate. When other people protest, the person with anorexia feels confirmed in his or her control of this one, vital, area of life. However for many, it becomes impossible to stop the downward spiral as no weight feels low enough to be safe.

Anorexia is a desperate bid to hang on to control and cope with life. It develops when there are problems that feel too painful to face and impossible to solve. It is not a suicide bid, although that is how it appears to those who care but find it difficult to understand.

What is happening?

As human beings, we need food to nourish and fuel all aspects of our being, body, mind and spirit. When we are deprived of this nourishment through starvation, vomiting, or laxative abuse, chemical changes occur. These changes affect physical, emotional and mental functioning. The problem for people who restrict their food intake in a bid to gain control over their lives, is that the effects Of starvation quickly take control of the body, which begins fighting for survival. The mind’s obsession with thoughts of food is part of this fight. Another part is the possibility that, at some stage, the body’s needs may overcome willpower and force a binge.

Anorexia may begin with a conscious decision to stop eating. However, the ability to make rational decisions diminishes with weight loss. For many people, the added burden of depression affects their decision-making further. Weight loss, which was originally seen as the solution, has not, after all, solved the problems.

Possible signs and symptoms

Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia is a condition which can affect both men and women, young or old, of any cultural, racial or economic background. Sufferers of bulimia may be older than sufferers of anorexia. Many suffer symptoms of both conditions.

People with bulimia eat huge amounts of food, many thousands of calories, quickly and without control. In bulimia, these binges, are followed by some attempt to compensate for all the food eaten, in order to prevent weight gain. The sufferer may use a combination of vomiting, starvation, or abuse of laxatives or diuretics to “make up for” binges. This forms the bulimic cycle, which may occur once or many times a day, once in a while or consistently over weeks months or years.

While the bulimic eating pattern exists, the sufferer will experience feelings of self-hatred, disgust, low self-esteem and may suffer from depression. Outwardly, the impression given may be one of confidence,competence and sociability. Even when sufferers are showing other signs of distress- such as depression- the bulimia may be kept totally hidden from those closest to them.

What is happening?

Those who develop bulimia have described an aching void inside, which is a hunger they are trying to fill with food. The desperate need to fill this emptiness and ease the pain triggers a binge. As it is eaten, the food turns into something evil, disgusting and painful itself, and the sufferer becomes equally desperate to get rid of it again. Vomiting brings relief of a kind. Some sufferers talk of a feeling of purity which comes with this emptiness, once the food has gone. A “high” may be experienced before the feelings of self-disgust come flooding back.

Possible signs and symptoms

Compulsive Overeating

Sufferers describe various forms of compulsive overeating. Some people call themselves compulsive eaters if their resolve breaks and they eat anything at all. Other people find themselves “grazing” throughout the day on a variety of foods, almost without thought. Yet others will “comfort eat”, consciously choosing food which makes them feel good. This type of compulsive eating shares similar emotional factors with bulimia nervosa and is also known as binge eating disorder. It is another way of using food to cope.

People can gain weight for various reasons and it must be said that not everyone who is obese, sufferers from an eating disorder.                 

What is happening?

Within a family, various members may use food in different ways to cope with problems. Whether this develops into anorexia or bulimia or compulsive overeating will depend on variety of influences.

As with other eating disorders, shape, size and weight can become a focus in place of sorting out painful and difficult problems. The extra weight carried by compulsive overeaters gives a confusing message. It may be used to keep people at bay. It can be a protective armour against feelings of weakness and vulnerability, or used either to hide or emphasise strength and determination.

Possible signs and symptoms

Recovery!

Recovery is possible. It will take hard work and determination. It isn’t easy and it can take a long time. For most people with an eating disorder, the thought of recovery is very frightening. However painful the anorexia, bulimia, or compulsive overeating may be, it can be seen as a friend or the enemy both at the same time. More importantly it is safe territory.

Help is available. Different things work for different people. If something isn’t working don’t be afraid to change it and try something else. Set-backs will happen, it does not mean failure. Realising this and being prepared, is the key to moving forward again. Support from family and friends is invaluable, whatever form of help is undertaken.

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The article on this page was written by, and copyright to, Somerset & Wessex Eating Disorders Association. This material may not be reproduced without the permission of Somerset & Wessex Eating Disorders Association.

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