Eating disorders exist in people of all nationalities, in all countries and affect people of all age groups, genders, races and sexual orientations.
You can’t always tell by someone’s appearance if they have an eating disorder. People who are quite ill can sometimes look fairly healthy or appear extremely frail.
There are many different types of eating disorders. When someone experiences distress related to food and their nutrition is a concern, there are many supports and tips available to help them. Eating disorders are not developed because someone has a character flaw.
Many are in combination with anxiety or mood difficulties, and a biological link has been recognized as a causative factor.
Many people assume that eating disorders are about eating too much or too little. It is actually far more complex than that. The Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders website includes eight main categories of eating disorders, described below.
1. Anorexia nervosa: people are fixated with their weight, food and calories and might either restrict their food intake or binge and purge (eliminating food from the body). People might have an unrealistic view of their own body weight and see themselves as overweight despite a very slender physique.
2. Bulimia nervosa: people engage in recurrent times of binge eating followed by purging, fasting or excessive exercise. The person might be very concerned and focused on their weight or body shape.
3. Binge eating disorder: recurrently eating large amounts of food rapidly without feeling physically hungry, until feeling uncomfortably full.
4. Body dysmorphic disorder: a person experiences inaccurate perceptions that cause extreme concern with an aspect of their appearance. A slight blemish, their hair, skin or weight may be areas where attention is focused.
5. Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID): people stop or avoid eating food they feel will harm them, but in fact this is creating nutritional deficiencies.
6. Pica: people consume substances that have no nutritional value such as ice, clay, soil or paper.
7. Rumination disorder: food is regurgitated, then re-chewed, re-swallowed or spit out.
8. Other specified eating disorders: people do not meet the criteria for any of the above.
When people struggle over the connection with food it can affect their ability to thrive. It may affect performance at school or work and impact relationships with friends, family or co-workers.
According to Jacqueline Maw, the occupational therapist on the Eating Disorders Program at Homewood Health Centre, we can help by listening and being supportive, as opposed to trying to convince them to eat, or that how they feel they look is wrong.
Maw suggests we consider taking the focus off the food. Eat with the person and chat, focusing the conversation on something that they are interested in. Promote the idea of a balanced day including not only meals, but snacks and activities that the individual finds pleasurable and meaningful.
You might help the person find some positive statements, affirmations, quotes or poems that they can relate to. Sometimes these are good to focus on when the person is faced with the challenge of eating.
It is important to acknowledge that a person with an eating disorder may be experiencing a great deal of anxiety and distress over engaging with food. It can seem difficult for those of us without these issues to understand.
Eating disorders are treatable and finding the right support is key.
Please reach out to your family physician and/or visit the Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders website. You can also call Here 24/7 at 1-844-437-3247 to be connected to local supports.
The National Eating Disorder Information Centre (nedic.ca) provides information, resources, referrals and support to anyone in Canada affected by an eating disorder.
The following link is a video of the director and psychiatrist from the Homewood Health Centre Eating Disorder Program speaking more about why an ED develops and about coping and supports: youtube.com/watch?v=5nW-Y1f5-Jo.
* * *
Paula Frappier is an occupational therapist and community education coordinator at Homewood Health Centre.
The “Open Mind” column is sponsored by community partners who are committed to raising awareness about mental health, reducing stigma and providing information about resources that can help. For local mental health resources/information, visit mdsgg.ca or call 1-844-HERE247.