Saying that eating disorders are not only related to nutrition, but also a mental health problem that occurs with psychological and physical symptoms, Dr. Clinical Psychologist Özge Şengün said, “On the contrary, when people cannot control their eating behaviors, it starts at the point where eating behaviors control them and has a negative impact on their quality of life. "If left untreated, it can lead to dangerous consequences," he said.
Stating that eating disorders are generally common in western countries and women, it has been shown by research that Uzm. Clinical Ps. Özge Şengün said, “At the same time, the majority of them are adolescents. One-tenth of people with eating disorders are men. About 1,4% of women and 0,2% of men suffer from anorexia nervosa; While 1,9% of women and 0,6% of men are affected by bulimia nervosa, 2,8% of women and 1,0% of men develop binge eating disorder. So binge eating disorder is the most common eating disorder,” he said.
Eating disorders can be seen in people of normal weight, just as overweight or underweight people can have eating disorders. Pointing out that eating disorders may be caused by psychological, sociocultural and familial reasons, Şengün underlined that dissatisfaction with the individual's body and obsessive thoughts about losing weight may also play a major role in eating disorders. Sengün also shared the following information: “People who have negative basic beliefs about themselves, low self-esteem and self-esteem, feel emotional deprivation, have perfectionist personality traits, suffer from depression and anxiety, or are under intense stress are at higher risk of developing an eating disorder.” : “These patients may be constantly weighed down, feel depression and anxiety, and may tend to excessive exercise, suicide attempt, substance or drug use. People with eating disorders may not realize this or they may hide their eating disorders from their relatives because they are ashamed of their behavior, feel guilty, and avoid criticism.
Stating that the most common eating disorders are classified as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and other defined eating and nutritional disorders, Özge Şengün said, “Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are two disease groups in which psychological symptoms and serious physical problems coexist among this disease group.” he said.
Şengün also made detailed explanations about the types of eating disorders.
In anorexia nervosa; there is a lot of anxiety and fear
Emphasizing that anorexia patients find themselves overweight due to the deterioration in their body perception even though they are very thin, they restrict what they eat. cln. Ps. Şengün said, “People suffering from Anorexia Nervosa have a lot of concerns and fears about gaining weight. They diet a lot, hardly eat at all, and try to lose weight by exercising excessively. "Restriction and weight loss can lead to an increase in anxiety symptoms and obsessive thoughts."
Bulimia nervosa; they are ashamed of their eating style
Özge Şengün informed that Bulimia Nervosa is a disorder that can occur even when people are at normal weight and is also related to weight gain anxiety. During the binge-eating phase, the feeling that they cannot stop eating and gain control is dominant. They are ashamed of their eating style and are afraid of being judged, so they often prefer to eat alone in secret. At the same time, behaviors such as the use of laxatives, the use of diuretic drugs, excessive exercise or not eating at all can be observed from time to time.
There is regret after binge eating disorder
Binge eating disorder is defined as the condition of eating too much food in a short time than one can eat at the same time. Özge Şengün said, “It is seen as eating faster than normal once a week for three months, until you feel satiated enough to be uncomfortable, and eating excessively when not hungry,” said Özge Şengün, giving the following information: “A person prefers to eat alone. Feelings of self-hatred. Because of their emotional hunger, they see eating as a way to relax when they encounter problems; but later they regret it.”
Negatively affects sleep patterns
Özge Şengün stated that people who are associated with all of the above-mentioned eating disorders, but who do not fully meet any of them, are diagnosed with "Other Defined Eating and Nutrition Disorders" and said, "People with this disorder have symptoms similar to other disorders. In addition to these, they may wake up at night and feel the need to eat, and eating at night will cause distress and impair their functionality.” used the expressions.
Dangerous consequences can be seen if left untreated.
Yeditepe University Kozyatağı Hospital pointed out that if eating disorders are not treated, serious health problems such as weakening of bones, blood pressure and heart problems, muscle wasting, anemia, damage to the digestive system, hormonal changes, fragility in hair and nails, wear on teeth, depression and anxiety disorder can occur. from Exp. Clinical Psychologist Özge Şengün, “Eating disorders can seriously threaten an individual's health; Therefore, it is very important to seek support and receive psychotherapy from psychiatrists and psychologists for the treatment of eating disorders. Hospitalization may be required, especially since anorexia nervosa may result in loss of life in severe cases. The main treatment methods include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Family Therapy (especially in young patients), Group Therapies, Cognitive Analytical Therapy, Interpersonal Psychotherapy. Thanks to psychotherapies, individuals with eating disorders can discover the underlying causes of their eating behaviors and become more resistant to life events by acquiring alternative coping strategies.
The underlying causes should be questioned first.
Özge Şengün, who warned that the underlying causes should be questioned in order to understand the content of eating disorders and nutrition therapy, said, "What emotions and thoughts are underlying the patient's eating behavior during the therapy, what triggers this behavior and what can be done works on them," she said.
“Concurrently with psychotherapies, nutritional habits can be regained with a nutritionist. However, the attitude of relatives towards the individual with an eating disorder is also very important. Families should not criticize the weight and body appearance of individuals with eating disorders, on the contrary, they should make them feel valued regardless of their weight and appearance. They may offer to seek help if they feel they are under pressure to be weak. They can make eating together at the table setting a part of their routine. It is important for them to be supportive and helpful in acquiring healthy eating and healthy exercise habits. At the point where they think they have eating disorders, they should definitely direct them to seek help from a specialist.”
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