Psychology

Eating disorders comprise of a group of life threatening conditions or illnesses that are at the same time physical and psychological in nature. The disorders are normally characterized by a number of harmful and anomalous eating behaviors that are aggravated and accompanied by detrimental perceptions, expectations and beliefs about shape, eating and body weight (Engel et al., 2007). Besides, eating disorders have reached an all time high in America. All economic levels are affected, including women and men, young and old. Both rich and poor fall into this problem as well as minority groups. Recent studies have indicated that eating disorders affect twice as several individuals as Alzheimers, and five times as several individuals as schizophrenia. This implies that these disorders should be taken more serious just like any other mental disorder, such schizophrenia and Alzheimers. In addition, eating disorders must receive much more research funds than before, as they are on the rise and thus necessitate more research. This research paper provides more information concerning the types, causes, psychopathology, diagnosis and treatments of eating disorders.

Types and Characteristics
Eating disorders include anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa and Binge Eating Disorder. Each of these disorders has characteristic pattern of harmful and anarchic eating behavior. Anorexia usually involves the intense and rigorous restriction from eating in an attempt to lose weight (Bruch, 2001). Individuals suffering from this disorder are characterized by social withdrawal, thin appearance, constipation, dizziness and loss of menstruation or menstrual irregularities. In bulimia disorder, individuals always have episodes of purging and bingeing. This is caused by abnormal consumption of large quantity of foods in a very short duration. Bulimic binges are often followed by purge compensatory behaviors, which are an effort of a person to eliminate the consumed calories. Excessive exercising, inducing vomiting and taking of laxatives are major examples of compensatory purging behavior attribute of bulimia (Beglin and Fairburn, 1993). These are all carried out to avoid weight gain. Purge and binge behaviors may both occur during bulimia and anorexia. Though, intense restriction from eating is rarely in bulimics and always in anorexics. Whats more, binge eating disorder is no different from bulimia, as they both share binge eating behavior. Although, persons with binge eating disorder never purge to eliminate what they have already consumed, as its with those having bulimia (Beglin and Fairburn, 1993).

Causes
The real cause of eating disorder is not yet known. However there may be probable causes that include psychological and emotional factors as well as societal and biological factors. Individuals suffering from eating disorders may have emotional or psychological problems which exacerbate the disorder. They may encompass anger management difficulties, troubled relationships, family conflicts, low self esteem and lack of perfectionism (Fairburn, 2008). Moreover, the current western cultural environment frequently strengthens and nurtures a desire for thinness, especially in women. Success and importance are often associated with being thin in fashionable culture. What is seen in the media plus peer pressure may stimulate this hunger after thinness, particularly among teenagers or young girls. Conversely, a number of studies have shown that eating disorders may be genetically caused. Individuals with parents or siblings with eating disorder are likely to develop the same eating disorders than those individuals with close relatives without eating disorders. This therefore suggests a probability of genetic link. Additionally, there are various evidences that serotonin (a naturally occurring chemical in the brain) may well influence eating behaviors, thereby leading to eating disorders (Beglin and Fairburn, 1993).

Psychopathology
Like explicit psychopathology, generic psychiatric characteristics are the same across the primary eating disorders. Anxiety and depressive characteristics are predominantly common and certainly, several patients meet criteria for at least one or even more anxiety or mood disorders (Fairburn, 2008).

Depressive characteristics are particularly frequent among people with binge and purge eating behaviors, whilst anxiety characteristics are portrayed among people who restrain themselves from foods. In underweight individuals, obsessional characteristics tend to be particularly common. Some individuals engage in recurring self injury and always have problems with drug abuse (excessive alcohol intake). These characteristics are witnessed across the three primary eating disorders, though are most prominent among patients or individuals who binge eat. That said it is difficult to evaluate, examine or assess the personality of individuals with eating disorders, since a number of characteristics of significance are directly influenced by existence of eating disorder. Nevertheless, diagnoses of personality are commonly carried out. For instance, those individuals who engage in drug abuse or recurring self injury frequently draw the diagnosis of average personality disorder (Fairburn, 2008).

Diagnosis
Eating disorders are normally diagnosed based on the symptoms, signs as well as eating habits of an individual (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2009). When someone is suspected of an eating disorder, the physicians usually run various tests to pinpoint the exact diagnosis and as well check for correlated complications. Both psychological and physical evaluations are carried out during diagnosis. In psychological evaluation, mental health provider asks various questions concerning the eating beliefs, habits and behavior of the patient. These questions may specifically focus on the patients history of bingeing, dieting, exercise and purging. During this evaluation the patient may as well fill out a psychological questionnaires and self assessments. Physical evaluations include physical examinations, laboratory tests and other studies, such as X-rays and electrocardiograms. However, before any diagnosis of eating disorders, an individual should meet diagnostic criteria contained in the DSM-IV. Each and every eating disorder has a set of diagnostic criteria clearly stipulated in this manual published by American Psychiatric Association (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2009).

Treatment
Eating disorder treatment is dependent on the type of eating disorder. Though, in general, it usually comprises psychotherapy, medication and nutritional education. If an individuals life is at danger he or she may require an immediate hospitalization for health stabilization. Individual psychotherapy can assist one learn healthy habits. They also enable an individual to monitor his or her moods, eating habits and to discover healthy means to deal with stressful circumstances. Similarly, psychotherapy can as well assist enhance an individual mood and relationship. Cognitive behavioral therapy is prominently utilized in eating disorder management, especially for binge eating disorders and bulimia nervosa. Group and family based therapies are also essential for some individuals, including adolescents and children (Fairburn, 2008).