Eating disorders refer to extreme psychological conditions associated with consistent food consumption by individuals. The disorders often result into negative implications on their health, emotions as well as the ability to work effectively on vital areas of life. These disorders are common within a disproportionate number of people including young women in their teenage stage, and young men or older adults who get affected at various stages. This work expounds on these disorders and their implications on people’s daily lives.
Anorexia nervosa is one of the common eating disorder, which is recorded in many people. People suffering from this psychological disorder view themselves as being extremely overweight regardless of being in an average weight. These individuals consistently record their body weights, limit their amount of food intake, and further restrict themselves from consuming certain types of food with the anticipation of losing their weights. Recent research has indicated Anorexia nervosa to be the leading cause of mortality as compared to other mental disorder ( Fairburn & Harrison, 2003) . The high rate of mortality among young women and men arise due to suicide and starvation. Some of the symptoms of this disorder include; emaciation, restricted eating habits, exclusive weight gain fears, individual’s self esteem being entirely dependent in shape and body weight, brittle nails and hair, and osteoporosis among other indications.
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Eating disorders also entails people suffering from Bulimia nervosa. This is a different case from Anorexia nervosa, which is as a result of individuals consuming huge amounts of food in a frequent manner without being able to control their behaviors. The outcome of the excess intake of food is forced vomiting, the use of diuretics and laxatives excessively, fasting, and participation in excess body exercises ( Fairburn & Harrison, 2003) . However, the outcomes experienced by such people usually result to the maintenance of a relatively normal or healthy weight. There are many symptoms related to Bulimia nervosa. Such symptoms include; individuals having salivary glands which are swollen in the neck and jaw areas, sore and chronically inflamed throats, continuously sensitive and decaying teeth due to the exposure to stomach acid, extreme dehydration as a result of purging of fluids, and acid reflux disorder as well as different gastrointestinal problems.
Another common eating disorder is Binge-eating disorder, which also results into people losing control over their eating behaviors. However, this disorder differs from Bulimia nervosa because the affected people do not endorse purging, fasting, and intense exercises. This life style often results to the victims being regarded as obese and overweight ( De la Rie et al., 2006) . Binge-eating disorder affects a significant number of people in the U.S and its symptoms include; consumption of large amounts of food at definite periods of time even when the individual if full and not hungry, having quick intake of food in times of the Binge episodes until one is uncomfortably full, which mostly takes place in secrete to avoid being embarrassed, and further the individual experiences guilt, distress, or shame regarding the eating habits.
Researches in the recent times have established that eating disorders are linked with complex genetic interaction, physiological, biological, behavioral and social factors. The study of eating disorders has been intensified on human genes in which scientific researches are identify the variations of DNA associated with high risks of developing eating disorders. Additionally, studies concerning brain imaging have also played a major role in the betterment of eating disorders perceptions ( Von Ranson, Wallace & Stevenson, 2013) . For instance, researches have established that the reasons behind the alternations in pattern of brain activities among women affected with eating disorders when compared to relatively healthy women. Such advancement will positively impact the development of new ways of diagnosis and remedy of the disorders.
Psychological concepts have played a significant role in enhancing the treatment of eating disorders among the affected people. It all begins with the postulation of one consuming the recommended amount of nutrients, avoiding excess exercises, and evading purging habits ( De la Rie et al., 2006) . Such treatment plans are reached upon while basing on the needs of an individual which may also include individual, family or group psychotherapy as well as nutritional counseling.
Psychotherapy, which is commonly referred to as talk therapy is based on diverse treatment techniques that are established with the anticipation of finding and changing trouble thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. These therapies are conducted by highly trained and qualified mental health personnel in groups or one on one setting ( Murphy et al., 2012) . Moreover, the therapists usually have high understanding about the human mind, thus they can effectively detect the troubles encountered by the individuals affected by eating disorders and conclusively provide better non-medical recommendations for fueling permanent solutions.
Conclusion
The impact of psychologists in treatment of eating disorders is huge as they are part and parcel of the multidisciplinary team with the role of providing complete patient care. Each respective discipline plays its role and the psychologists identify vital matters of concern and further develop a plan to address the issues through enhancing the positive thoughts and behaviors among the affected people. For example, in different occasions, the psychologists and their patients may commit their priorities in achieving better health rather than losing body weight; this may be enhanced through a strict adherence to a recommended diet diary.
References
De la Rie, S., Noordenbos, G., Donker, M., & van Furth, E. (2006). Evaluating the treatment of eating disorders from the patient's perspective. International Journal of Eating Disorders , 39 (8), 667-676.
Fairburn, C. G., & Harrison, P. J. (2003). Eating disorders. The Lancet , 361 (9355), 407-416.
Murphy, R., Straebler, S., Basden, S., Cooper, Z., & Fairburn, C. G. (2012). Interpersonal psychotherapy for eating disorders. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy , 19 (2), 150-158.
Von Ranson, K. M., Wallace, L. M., & Stevenson, A. (2013). Psychotherapies provided for eating disorders by community clinicians: Infrequent use of evidence-based treatment. Psychotherapy Research , 23 (3), 333-343.
