All about ED

ED is a commonly used abbreviation for Eating Disorder. Many people who suffer from an Eating Disorder refer to it as ED and an abusive relationship.

It is very important to recognize that ED comes in many forms. Someone may have a combination of Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa and Exercise Bulimia. ED can affect everyone. Not only "skinny"people. It is all about the food habits and beliefs. If someone weighs 300 pounds but is beginning to starve themselves or binge and purge--it is an eating disorder.

According to the National Eating Disorders Association, an Eating Disorder is defined as "extreme emotions, attitudes, and behaviors surrounding weight and food issues".

Although when we think Eating Disorder, we think of skeleton looking women who have starved for months and years..these are the extreme cases. It is important to recognize and treat an eating disorder before it gets to that point.

Truth: IT CAN KILL YOU. While it seems to start small, as with Anorexia for example and eating 1,000  calories a day, then 500 and eventually only 200 a day your organs begin to shut down and you can die.


Many factors contribute to eating disorders; physical, emotional, social issues. These all need to be addressed for treatment and prevention of an eating disorder.


Treatment?
Treatment varies for everyone, but there is no cure.
For most, psychotherapy of some sort is the most beneficial long lasting treatment.

Facts and Statistics?
-Anorexia Nervosa has the highest premature fatality rate of any mental illness. (American Journal of Psychiatry, Sullivan, 1995)
-80% of women are dissatisfied with their appearance. (NEDA Guide Book, Smolak, 1996)
-81% of ten year olds are afraid of being fat. (Journal of Adolescent Health, 1991)
-35% of "normal dieters" progress to pathological dieting. Of those, 20-25% progress to partial or full-syndrome eating disorders. (International Journal of Eating Disorders, 1995)

More information can be found at:
National Eating Disorder Association Website   www.edap.org/
Eating Disorders Anonymous     http://www.eatingdisordersanonymous.org/
The Key to Life Website  http://www.key-to-life.com/