Eating disorders (EDS) are a group of diseases based on eating disorders (the ability to control timely and proper eating). A person suffering from an eating disorder is overly concerned about his weight and uses various methods (sports, debilitating diets, medications) that pursue the only goal – to achieve, from his point of view, ideal body proportions. At the same time, the patient experiences a constant fear of gaining "extra" pounds.
The main danger of eating disorders is the inevitable occurrence of problems in the functioning of various body systems (digestive, endocrine, etc.), which can provoke serious somatic diseases. Also, in most cases, RPP is accompanied by
depression,
anxiety disorders and substance abuse.
The main eating disorders include:
- anorexia nervosa;
- bulimia nervosa;
Compulsive overeating.
Anorexia nervosa
Many anorexic people consider themselves overweight, even if it is below normal. Nutrition and weight control is becoming an obsession. Patients, as a rule, do not consider themselves sick and do not seek help, even if their weight reaches catastrophically low figures and threatens their lives.
The main danger of eating disorders is the occurrence of unavoidable disorders in the functioning of the body, which can lead to serious diseases of the digestive, endocrine, and reproductive systems. Also, in many cases, anorexia is accompanied by depression, anxiety disorders and substance abuse.
The symptoms of anorexia nervosa include:
- Extreme exhaustion of the body, in which the weight deficit exceeds 15% of the normal or expected body size for a given age;
- Weight loss due to the rejection of food that "makes you fat", vomiting, taking laxatives, diuretics and flushing of the gastrointestinal tract, excessive physical exercise, the use of appetite suppressants;
- Strong fear of gaining weight;
- The patient's misconception of his figure with a distortion of body image and ideas about his own unattractiveness;
- Lack of menstruation or amenorrhea / loss of sexual desire (in men);
- Extremely limited nutrition.
Some patients with anorexia nervosa recover well after treatment, and the disease manifests itself only in a single episode. However, in most cases, the disorder becomes chronic and prolonged, especially in the absence of specific therapy.
If left untreated, the following symptoms may appear over time:
- Increased bone fragility (osteopenia or osteoporosis);
- Fragility of hair and nails;
- Dryness and yellowness of the skin;
- Downy hair growth all over the body;
- Anemia, weakness and loss of muscle mass;
- Constipation;
- Weakness of breathing, pulse, low blood pressure;
- Damage to the structures and dysfunction of the heart muscle;
- Multi-organ disorders;
- Decrease in internal body temperature, causing a constant feeling of cold;
- Increased fatigue, lethargy;
- Infertility.
Treatment of anorexia at EMC (In Moscow)
The multidisciplinary clinic format allows for comprehensive diagnosis of concomitant somatic diseases and provides the necessary assistance to the patient with the participation of a psychiatrist, clinical psychologist, psychotherapist, nutritionist, endocrinologist, therapist.
A comprehensive treatment program that includes normalization of diet, drug therapy, cognitive behavioral, and family therapy.
Inpatient treatment of severe forms of the disease.
Psychiatric support for a patient in remission. Regular meetings with a specialist consolidate the result of treatment and develop resistance to risk factors.
Teaching relatives the correct assessment of the patient's condition, effective communication skills and the necessary psycho-emotional support. This reduces the risk of repeated flare-ups and strengthens family relationships.
The EMC Clinic of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy also treats anorexia in children and adolescents.
Bulimia nervosa
Symptoms:
- Regular bouts of overeating (eating large amounts of food in a short period of time);
- Lack of self-control during an attack;
- Vomiting, taking laxatives or diuretics, strict diets or starvation with simultaneous exhausting physical exertion;
Strong feelings about being overweight.
Bulimia patients are afraid of weight gain and try to lose weight because of complexes and shame about the figure. The chain of "overeating-vomiting" can be repeated from several times a week to several times a day.
Violations resulting from frequent vomiting:
- Chronic inflammation and sore throat;
- Swelling of the salivary glands;
- Thinning of tooth enamel, increased tooth sensitivity and increased risk of caries due to exposure to gastric acid;
- Problems with the gastrointestinal tract;
- Dehydration;
An imbalance of electrolytes (sodium, calcium, potassium, and other minerals) that can cause heart attacks.
Compulsive overeating
It is the most common eating disorder in which there is an increase in appetite and an increase in the amount of food consumed. This disorder does not include signs of bulimia nervosa or anorexia nervosa.
With compulsive overeating, a person loses control over the amount of food consumed. Unlike bulimia, overeating is not accompanied by vomiting, starvation, or excessive exercise.
The most common consequence of compulsive overeating is overweight and obesity. People with excess weight and symptoms of overeating experience feelings of guilt and shame, they experience symptoms of distress, which, in turn, provoke new episodes of overeating.
Advantages of treatment in EMC
- The multidisciplinary clinic format allows for comprehensive diagnosis of concomitant somatic diseases and provides the necessary assistance to the patient with the participation of a psychiatrist, clinical psychologist, psychotherapist, nutritionist, endocrinologist, therapist.
- A comprehensive treatment program that includes normalization of diet, drug therapy, cognitive behavioral, and family therapy.
- Inpatient treatment of severe forms of the disease.
- Psychiatric support for patients in remission. Regular meetings with a specialist consolidate the result of treatment and develop resistance to risk factors.
- Teaching relatives the correct assessment of the patient's condition, effective communication skills and the necessary psycho-emotional support. This reduces the risk of repeated flare-ups and strengthens family relationships.
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