The American Psychiatric Association (2015) posits that eating disorders tend to go unrecognized because they are commonly perceived as lifestyle choices, yet they are serious and often fatal illnesses. Eating disorders refer to illnesses characterized by irregular eating habits, which may be accompanied by obsessions with food, body shape, and body weight. Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, and Binge Eating Disorder are the most commonly diagnosed forms of eating disturbances that affect both males and females, though studies show that they tend to be underdiagnosed, undertreated, and misunderstood in men (Strother, Lemberg, Stanford et al. , 2012). It is crucial to understand that eating disturbances are more than just imbalanced eating. Their contribution towards the general wellbeing of individuals is noted, but the exact cause remains unknown, leading to assumptions that biological, psychological, and environmental factors are key contributors. As a result, the treatment and management of eating disorders involves an array of approaches, besides instilling healthy and balanced eating habits, which are be aimed at addressing signs and symptoms rather than the underlying causes. Treatment of eating disorders requires the help of a qualified and certified professional, and a comprehensive approach that may involve medical care and monitoring, psychotherapy, and medications. Eating disorders continue to pose serious health problems with severe implications, hence the need to understand the underlying causes to facilitate diagnosis and the development of inclusive and comprehensive treatment and management approaches.
Term Paper Outline
Introduction – Overview of Eating Disorders
Eating disorders result to extreme emotions, attitudes, and behaviors in relation to body weight and shape and food issues, and the effects are manifested in both males and females, though females have been shown to be at a higher risk of developing them.
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Smink, Van Hoeken, and Hoek (2012) posited that eating disorders are relatively rare among the general population, but the severity of each type (Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, and Binge Eating Disorder) was observed to be enhanced among specific demographic populations.
Causes and Symptoms of Eating Disorders
The types, symptoms, and signs of eating disorders can best be understood using the DSM-5 manual. According to the American Psychiatric Association (2015), diagnosis of Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, and Binge Eating Disorder must meet a given criteria because of the numerous associated factors that may lead to similar symptoms.
Sim, McAlpine,Grothe et al. (2010) posit that eating disorders need prompt diagnosis and treatment to ameliorate subsequent medical morbidities, negative psychological effects, and reduction and the quality of life.
Treatment and Management Approaches
Techniques used in treating and managing eating disorders shift constantly as new theories of what causes eating disorders continue to emerge.
The approaches are further complicated by comorbidities such as depression, anxiety disorders, kidney problems, obesity, among others. However, psychotherapy, monitoring, nutrition counseling, and medications are the commonly used options.
According to Kristeller andWolever (2010), mindfulness-based eating awareness training (MB-EAT) is emerging as a preferred intervention approach for eating disorders because it addresses key emotional, psychological, and behavioral issues related to intake of food and self-identity, but issues remain of its effectiveness.
Ozier and Henry (2011) posited that the position of the American Dietetic Association, is that comprehensive and inclusive approaches should be used by qualified and registered professional in treating and managing eating disorders.
Conclusion
Emphasis must be placed on the diagnosis of eating disorders to address inequalities in their management among different population segments, and inform treatment and management approaches. These approaches should be aimed at addressing the cause and not merely eliminating the symptoms.
References
American Psychiatric Association. (2015). Feeding and Eating Disorders: DSM-5® Selections . American Psychiatric Pub.
Kristeller, J. L., &Wolever, R. Q. (2010). Mindfulness-based eating awareness training for treating binge eating disorder: the conceptual foundation. Eating Disorders , 19 (1), 49-61.
Ozier, A. D., & Henry, B. W. (2011). Position of the American Dietetic Association: nutrition intervention in the treatment of eating disorders. Journal of the American Dietetic Association , 111 (8), 1236-1241.
Sim, L. A., McAlpine, D. E., Grothe, K. B., Himes, S. M., Cockerill, R. G., & Clark, M. M. (2010, August). Identification and treatment of eating disorders in the primary care setting. In Mayo Clinic Proceedings (Vol. 85, No. 8, pp. 746-751).Elsevier.
Smink, F. R., Van Hoeken, D., & Hoek, H. W. (2012). Epidemiology of eating disorders: incidence, prevalence and mortality rates. Current Psychiatry Reports , 14 (4), 406-414.
Strother, E., Lemberg, R., Stanford, S. C., &Turberville, D. (2012). Eating disorders in men: underdiagnosed, undertreated, and misunderstood. Eating Disorders , 20 (5), 346-355.
