Eating disorders are about so much more than food. They are extremely serious psychological disorders and can become life-threatening. There are 4 main categories of eating disorders: Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Binge-Eating Disorder and Other Specified Feeding or Eating disorder (OSFED). These disorders can affect both men and women and though they are more prevalent in younger people, can develop at any stage of life. An eating disorder can develop for any number or combination of reasons including but not limited to low self-esteem, as a response to stressors or abuse, societal pressures to be thin, emotion regulation issue or biological predispositions.

Thankfully individuals with an eating disorder can respond well to psychological treatment. Often the best approach to treating an eating disorder is to develop an individualised treatment plan that address the psychological, nutritional and social needs of the individual. For further information regarding eating disorders and how they are treated please see this Guide to Eating Disorders.

 

Ms. Niamh Allen, M.A. B.Sc.

A Guide to Eating Disorders

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