Eating disorders

• Pica: The consumption of non-nutritive substances such as paper, paint, metal, stones, soil and chalk.
• Anorexia nervosa: A condition marked by severe restriction of food intake, leading to abnormally low body weight. Affected individuals often have an intense fear of weight gain or becoming fat along with a distorted perception of one’s own body weight and body shape. This results in extreme efforts to control weight and body shape, significantly interfering with daily life.
• Bulimia nervosa: Characterised by eating large amounts of food in a short time with loss of control. It is accompanied by compensatory behaviours such as self-induced vomiting, laxative use, diuretics, administering enemas or performing excessive exercise to avoid weight gain. Individuals with bulimia often have a distorted perception of body weight and shape.
• Binge eating disorder: Involves eating large amounts of food quickly, often to the point of feeling uncomfortably full. Individuals may eat alone and feel guilty about their eating habits, but unlike bulimia, this disorder is not associated with compensatory behaviour.

Symptoms vary depending on the type of disorder. Common symptoms are:

• Fatigue
• Drastic weight changes
• Forced vomiting
• Eating a lot
• Avoiding social interaction

The disorder can be diagnosed by:

• Physical examination
• Imaging tests to look for any complications

Treatment for the disorder includes:

• Psychotherapy
• Medications
• Counselling