Feeding and Eating Disorders
Most feeding and eating disorders are grouped as:
Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia Nervosa is characterized by excessive preoccupation with weight, calories and body image with excessive deprivation of food intake due to fear of gaining weight. Anorexia requires extreme rigidity in beliefs and behaviors.
Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia Nervosa is characterized by binge eating (or perceived bing eating) with strong urges to purge. Anorexia usually develops into Bulimia, as following extensive food deprivation, the body can give up control when faced with food. The individual will eat without control and then feel bloated and disgusted with themselves, which results in purging behaviors such as excessive exercising, self-induced vomiting and excessive use of laxatives.
Binge Eating Disorder
Binge eating is when the individual engages in episodes of excessive eating with no urge to purge.
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder
Also called ARFID, involves experiencing some type of problem with eating / feeding, preventing the person from getting adequate calories or nutrition through their diet. Different types of eating problems that might warrant an ARFID diagnosis include:
- Difficulty digesting certain foods,
- Avoiding certain colors or textures of food,
- Eating only very small portions,
- Having no appetite, or
- Being afraid to eat after a frightening episode of choking or vomiting.
Diagnostic Criteria for ARFID (Based on the DSM-V)
1. An eating or feeding disturbance that can be due to lack of interest in eating or food; avoidance based on the sensory characteristics of food or concern about aversive consequences of eating leading to:
- Significant weight loss or failure to achieve expected weight gain
- Significant nutritional deficiency
- Dependence on enteral feeding or oral nutritional supplements.
- Marked interference with psychosocial functioning.
2. The problem is not related to lack of available food or by an associated culturally sanctioned practice.
3. There is no evidence of preoccupation with body image
Therapy helps develop healthier eating habits, improve body image, and foster a more positive relationship with food. Through therapy, individuals can also gain coping strategies to manage stress and triggers, promoting long-term recovery and overall well-being.
