Eating Disorders Not only underweight can be an indication

Not just underweight: Eating Disorder can have various signs
Eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa (anorexia nervosa) and bulimia nervosa (choking addiction) have increased dramatically in recent years. Although such addictions often lead to underweight, other signs may indicate an eating disorder. It is important that those affected get help as soon as possible.

Eating Disorders Have Increased
Figures from recent years show that eating disorders are increasing dramatically. Especially more and more girls are affected. Health experts say you should treat disorders such as anorexia and bulimia quickly, but you have to recognize them first. Signs of an eating disorder can be when the thoughts are constantly revolving around the food and the figure. The same applies if one's own body abhors or is secretly eaten.

Disorders of the ear are often not yet associated with underweight in the early stages. Attention should be paid to other instructions in order to arrive at the earliest possible diagnosis. (Image: Coloures-pic / fotolia.com)

For warning signals help should be sought
As the news agency dpa reports, the medical center for quality in medicine (ÄZQ) advises that one should seek help with such warning signals. Possible contact persons may be the pediatrician, the family doctor or a psychotherapist. According to the ÄZQ, you do not need a bank transfer. A first point of contact can also be the Federal Center for Health Education (BZgA), where you can get anonymous advice under 0221/89 20 31. Special outpatient clinics or counseling centers for eating disorders are other options.

Not only underweight can be an indication
Eating disorders can manifest themselves in very different ways. One form is the anorexia, (anorexia nervosa) which is usually associated with underweight, which is triggered mainly by starvation, but also by vomiting, a lot of sports or laxatives. In most cases, sufferers weigh very often, count calories and are in a panic anxiety, ÄZQ explained. Despite underweight they consider themselves too fat. Another form is bulimia, which is characterized by binge eating. Concerned persons secretly devour large amounts and then have feelings of guilt and control, for example, vomiting, fasting, dieting or doing excessive sports.

The sooner a treatment, the better
In the so-called binge eating disorder (psychogenic food addiction) sufferers also have uncontrolled binge eating and a disturbed hunger and satiety. However, they do not control against a binge, which is why they are usually overweight. The different forms of eating disorders usually go hand in hand with mental problems and low self-esteem. In many cases, those affected can help with psychotherapy, but such treatment takes time. According to ÄZQ, the longer the eating disorder lasts, the longer the therapy lasts. According to the experts, it is important to get help at all, because anorexia can cause problems such as muscle wasting or hair loss. In addition, people who constantly vomit, damage their teeth and esophagus. Furthermore, being overweight can lead to joint pain and hypertension, among other things. And only recently did scientists from Bochum report that eating disorders can promote diabetes mellitus. (Ad)