A long-standing distorted eating behaviour and body image, combined with psychosocial and physical problems, can point to an eating disorder.
I have fought hard to be where I am now.
Eating disorders usually arise during adolescence or early adulthood, and occur more often amongst women than men. For women, the average occurrence is estimated at 8%, whilst for men at 2%. About 8% of all Flemish students report having an eating disorder, amongst which anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder are the most frequent. Someone with an eating disorder usually has other issues too. Most of the time, students wait too long before seeking professional help, or they do not seek help at all.
An eating disorder is a persistent mental-health condition with diverse underlying causes. Usually a combination of cultural, social, psychological and biological factors are involved.
Eating disorders typically arise during or right after adolescence, as a reaction to the many changes inherent to this life stage, which are experienced as threatening. Transition to higher education is often a critical period for their onset as well.
People with eating disorders usually have a negative self-image and low self-confidence. They are afraid of being rejected and show a tendency towards perfectionism. Hence, control over their eating behaviour and weight becomes a way to take control of their lives.
Distorted eating patterns and weight problems are central to eating disorders. There are many different disorders, but the three most common are:
A person may evolve from one kind of eating disorder to another.
An eating disorder develops gradually. Besides eating and weight problems, it usually entails serious physical, psychological and social consequences. Due to a fixation on body weight and a skewed perception of the body, a person with an eating disorder sees himself or herself as heavier than he or she really is.
Usually, someone with an eating disorder has other issues too. Amongst students, eating disorders often go hand in hand with anxiety and mood disorders or self-injurious behaviour.
Anxiety, as well as shame at their behaviour, mean that many young people try to hide their eating disorder. In the case of anorexia, it is because they deny the problem themselves; for bulimia, it is because they are ashamed of it. By wearing concealing clothing they try to cover up their weight problem. By withdrawing socially, the feeling of being alone only increases. Often, they wait too long to ask for help.
It is essential to recognize signals of eating disorders and weight problems as early as possible. These signs are situated at different levels:
Are you dealing with persistent eating and weight problems? Have a conversation with someone who you feel comfortable with and trust, like a good friend, your parents, sister or brother. This can be a huge relief, and talking about it also helps to piece things together. You can also find help together.
If you don’t immediately have the courage to tell someone in your direct surroundings, then try to approach someone who is familiar with similar experiences, such as a GP or a student counsellor at your college or university.
You can also anonymously contact Awel (102 or via www.awel.be) or Tele-Onthaal (106 or via tele-onthaal.be), or the Suicide Hotline (1813 or zelfmoord1813) for questions regarding suicidal thoughts.
I felt strong enough to ask for help.
As eating disorders tend to be persistent, it is important to reach out for professional help. Support from your general practitioner, family and friends is essential.
Treatment usually proceeds in phases. First, efforts are made to restore a regular eating pattern and healthy body weight. In a later phase, you learn to rebuild your self-image and develop skills to deal differently (i.e. more constructively) with problems and difficult emotions. In doing so, you look more closely at your thoughts about eating, weight and body images, and check them against reality. In some cases, therapy is combined with medication. For example, antidepressants can help to prevent binge eating (in the case of bulimia).
Besides individual therapy, there are also different forms of group therapy, in which mutual recognition and acknowledgement provide extra support. As group members are able to support each other, they can reinforce each other's feeling of not being alone.
Dr. Laurence Claes is a professor (KU Leuven, UAntwerpen) and expert in self-injurious behavior, eating disorders and personality disorders. In this episode, our host Carola is joined by the professor and student Julie to talk about health and eating disorders.
Have you noticed a friend dealing with irregular eating behaviour, and are you worried about your friend? Talk about it and share your concerns. Try to be understanding and listen to the story without judging.
You are not alone. Get inspired by other students' stories about vulnerability and doubt. But above all about the power of connectedness.
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