Eating Disorders

An eating disorder is a mental disorder that is defined by deviant eating behaviours that negatively affects the health physical or mental of the individual. Eating disorders are considered as pathologies and described in detail by ICD 10 , DSM IV and WHO.

They include

Periodic binge eating disorder in which people ingest large amounts of food in a short period of time; Anorexia nervosa, in which people eat very little and have a low body weight; Bulimia nervosa, in which people eat a lot and then try to get rid of food; Pica , in which people eat non-food products; Rumination disorder in which people regurgitate food; Avoidant restrictive eating disorder in which people have a lack of interest in food;

and a group of other specific eating disorders and other nonspecific eating disorders.

Anxiety disorders, depression and substance abuse are common among people with eating disorders. These disorders are not associated with obesity.

The cause of eating disorders is unclear.

Both biological and environmental factors appear to contribute to the problem. The cultural ideal of thinness can affect the individual by social and cultural influence, eventually acting on the aetiology of this medical condition. Victims of sexual abuse are also more predisposed to developing the issue.