That is a significant amount of people, with a good chance you may know someone affected.
The vast majority of people with eating disorders are younger people in their teens and early twenties. Eating disorders involve an unhealthy relationship with food, body image, and weight. The most common eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder.
Anorexia nervosa is characterised by a fear of gaining weight, a distorted body image, and extreme calorie restriction, which can lead to other serious health complications. A person with anorexia, may also take to excessive exercising and other behaviour to burn off calories, such as sleeping in a cold room with the window open to promote shivering.
Bulimia nervosa involves binge eating followed by purging behaviours, such as self-induced vomiting or the misuse of laxatives, which can lead to electrolyte imbalances, dehydration, and other medical problems.
Binge eating disorder involves recurrent episodes of excessive eating, without the use of purging behaviours, which can lead to obesity and related health issues.
There are many factors that can contribute to the development of eating disorders, including genetic, environmental, and psychological factors. One is poor mental health, particularly anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. People with these conditions may use food and weight control as a coping mechanism, which can lead to disordered eating behaviours over time.
Eating disorders can also contribute to poor mental health, creating a vicious cycle that is difficult to break. Eating disorders can lead to feelings of shame, guilt, and low self-esteem, which can make pre-existing mental health conditions worse, or trigger the onset of new ones. For example, people with anorexia nervosa may experience depression and anxiety, as a result of their extreme calorie restriction and fear of weight gain. Similarly, people with bulimia nervosa may feel ashamed and guilty after binge eating and purging, which can contribute to feelings of depression and anxiety.
Unfortunately, many people with eating disorders do not receive the help they need due to the stigma and shame associated with these conditions. Many people with eating disorders become secretive about their eating habits, for example they may hide and squirrel away foods that they have no intention of eating. They may also begin to hide their body size and shape with excessive clothing in hot weather.
Eating disorders are often viewed as a lifestyle choice or a sign of weakness, they are not. Eating disorders are rarely just about food. There is help out there, if you are worried about your own, or someone else’s eating habits and health, you can find out more from the charity Beat Eating Disorders at beateatingdisorders.org.uk
* This coming weekend the clocks go back. The lack of daylight in our lives, waking up in darkness, coming home from work in darkness can all take their toll on our physical and mental well-being. Whilst we can’t control the seasons or the weather, we can play a part in helping ourselves build some resilience to get through the long dark months ahead.
Quite simply, your body wants sunlight, without it we go into a type of ‘hibernation’ mode which makes us slow down and retreat into ourselves. Your body also needs to keep moving on a regular basis to keep your ‘happy-hormones’ flowing and increase your sense of well-being. It takes a little forward planning, and you may have to push yourself that bit harder but could really make a difference to your overall feeling of mental wellness this winter.
It is the small, positive adjustments that make a big difference.
Whenever possible, get yourself outdoors during sunlight hours. You may not feel inclined to in cold weather, but if you make the effort you will reap the rewards. Are there any times when you could wrap up warm and get yourself outside for a brisk walk in daylight? Lunch time at work perhaps? Could you get off the bus a couple of stops early and do some extra walking?
Think daylight! Can you position yourself nearer to a window at home or work during daylight hours? What else could you do to ensure you’re getting more natural daylight? Have a think about it, just imagining seeing a blue sky can actually put you in a more positive frame of mind. Bring some nature into your home, get a couple of winter flowering plants and nurture them.
If you are in any type of mental health crisis: Go to your GP or A&E, call the Samaritans on 116 123 or text SHOUT to 85258.
Martin Furber is a therapist qualified in various modalities and an Instructor Member of Mental Health First Aid England, please contact wellbeing@martinfurber.com
