Eating disorders constitute an increasingly visible problem in the contemporary world. The highest incidence is observed among young women, although it affects individuals of any gender and age.
The causes and mechanisms behind the development of eating disorders should be considered individually, taking into account various biological, psychological, personality-related, social, environmental, and cultural factors.
Anorexia nervosa, characterized by a conscious restriction of food intake to achieve a slender body silhouette, leads to extreme depletion of the body. It is characterized by dissatisfaction with one’s appearance, denial of problems, excessive focus on food and exercise. To reduce body mass, patients employ restrictive methods and compensatory mechanisms such as induced vomiting, laxatives, and intense exercising – the bulimic type. It is a condition associated with the highest risk of death among all mental disorders.
Bulimia nervosa, involves uncontrollable binge-eating episodes, followed by induced vomiting due to guilt and fear of gaining weight. Some patients also resort to fasting, laxatives, or misuse metabolism-boosting or appetite-suppressant medications.
Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is characterized by episodes of compulsive overeating within a short period, unrelated to hunger, without compensatory behaviors like induced vomiting.
There are also other eating disorders, such as Night Eating Syndrome, Orthorexia (an obsession with consuming only the highest quality healthy foods), and Bigorexia (excessive preoccupation with building muscle mass).
Appetite disorders, weight fluctuations, or emotional regulation through eating may also manifest in depressive, anxiety disorders, and in patients with ADHD.
We can support our patients on their journey to restoring a healthy relationship with food through accurate diagnosis, working with a psychodietitian, and providing pharmacological support.
At NURT, our psychiatrists can suggest appropriate pharmacological interventions!
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