While many young people are thrilled at the prospect of living on their own when they leave for college, for some the reality of having so much control can leave them feeling out of control.

According to HealthyPlace.com, a web community for those suffering from eating disorders, "Individuals who develop eating disorders often substitute internal control of eating and body weight as a way to deal with feelings of powerlessness over the external environment. In addition, preoccupation with food and body image may serve as a distraction from problems and a way of numbing difficult feelings."

Approximately seven million girls and women, and one million boys and men struggle with eating disorders¹. And research has shown that 86 percent of those struggling with eating disorders report onset of the illness by the age of 20².

Clearly, this makes eating disorders a serious problem on college campuses. Of concern as well is the fact that many college women who do not meet the criteria for an eating disorder are preoccupied with losing weight. According to HealthyPlace.com, up to one third of college women have "disordered eating" habits, which include using laxatives or diet pills, restricting food intake, or binge-eating.

Eating disorders are defined as severe disturbances in eating behavior and are usually divided into three categories: Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa and Compulsive Overeating³. Anorexia is characterized by the individual’s refusal to maintain body weight at or above a minimally normal weight for age and height; an intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat; a distorted body image; denial of the seriousness of their low body weight; and often a loss of menses⁴.

Bulimics are caught in an addictive and dangerous binge-purge cycle. The Bulimic consumes large amounts of food in a short period of time. This is often followed with severe behaviors to prevent weight gain, including self-induced vomiting, use of laxatives, diuretics, diet pills, ipecac, fasts, or vigorous exercise. Binge eating usually occurs in secret and like Anorexics, Bulimics are obsessively involved with their body shape and weight. The medical complications of Bulimia can be severe, and like Anorexia, can be fatal⁵.

Compulsive Overeaters often use food as a coping mechanism. Binge eating temporarily relieves stress, but is frequently followed by feelings of disgust, shame, guilt and depression. Compulsive Overeaters often appear to eat normally or restrictively in front of others and then binge in secret⁶.

If you fear someone you love is struggling with an eating disorder, do not try to handle it on your own. According to the Rader Programs, one of the nation’s leading experts in treatment of eating and related disorders, "It is not possible to force an Anorexic to eat, prevent a Bulimic from purging, or stop a Compulsive Overeater from bingeing. Family and friends often feel they must take on responsibility for the eating disorder, which is something they truly have no control over⁷."

Eating disorders are serious diseases. If left untreated, they can be fatal -- ten percent of all eating disorders lead to death⁸. For this reason, professional support is often needed. If you suspect an eating disorder, make an appointment to see a counselor and offer to take your loved one to the appointment. As a family member or friend of someone with an eating disorder, you should consider finding support for yourself. Seek out a counselor, friend or support group to help in your recovery as well.

The National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD) provides help at no charge for those struggling with eating disorders. It offers hotline counseling, a national network of free support groups, referrals to health care professionals, and education and prevention programs. The hotline number is 847-831-3438.


References:

1, 2. The National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders.

3. The Rader Programs web site.

4. HealthyPlace.com.

5, 6, 7, 8. The Rader Programs web site.

Suggested links for more information:

HealthyPlace.com - Eating Disorders Community

HealthyMinds.org - American Psychiatric Association