Eating DisordersEating DisordersEating disorders are many times Eating disorders are many times linked with depression and the linked with depression and the inability to identify and express inability to identify and express

feelings. feelings.

Striving to be perfect and setting Striving to be perfect and setting expectations for high performance expectations for high performance

and achievement are also and achievement are also characteristics of someone who characteristics of someone who

may be at risk for an eating may be at risk for an eating disorder.disorder.

Eating disorders are divided into 2 categories:Eating disorders are divided into 2 categories:

ANOREXIA – life-threatening disorder ANOREXIA – life-threatening disorder characterized by deliberate self-characterized by deliberate self-starvation. The person becomes starvation. The person becomes obsessed with food, weight, counting obsessed with food, weight, counting calories, and vigorous exercise.calories, and vigorous exercise.

Bulimia – life-threatening disorder Bulimia – life-threatening disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating followed by (usually) self-binge eating followed by (usually) self-induced vomiting or some form of induced vomiting or some form of purging as a means of controlling purging as a means of controlling weight.weight.

ANOREXIA – Self-induced starvationANOREXIA – Self-induced starvation

Extremely low caloric intakeExtremely low caloric intake Obsession with exerciseObsession with exercise Emotional problemsEmotional problems Unnatural interest in foodUnnatural interest in food Unrealistic or distorted sense of body Unrealistic or distorted sense of body

imageimage Denial of an eating problemDenial of an eating problem

Long Term Physical Problems:Long Term Physical Problems:

Extreme weight lossExtreme weight loss Hormonal changesHormonal changes Impaired immune functionImpaired immune function Decreased heart rate Decreased heart rate Women-menstrual cycle stopsWomen-menstrual cycle stops

BULIMIA – binge(eat a lot) and purge(vomit)BULIMIA – binge(eat a lot) and purge(vomit)

Follows a restrictive diet, then bingesFollows a restrictive diet, then binges Eats a large quantity of food, then Eats a large quantity of food, then

purgespurges Overwhelming desire to be thin, Overwhelming desire to be thin,

leading to a daily routine of vomiting leading to a daily routine of vomiting or abusing laxativesor abusing laxatives

Long Term Physical Problems:Long Term Physical Problems:

DehydrationDehydration Kidney problemsKidney problems Irregular heartbeatIrregular heartbeat Chronic vomiting leads to tooth Chronic vomiting leads to tooth

decay and tissue damage of the decay and tissue damage of the esophagus and stomachesophagus and stomach

How to Help a FriendHow to Help a Friend

Remember….you Remember….you cannot force cannot force someone to seek someone to seek help; change their help; change their habits, or adjust habits, or adjust their their attitude…..so….attitude…..so….

What can you What can you do????do????

LEARN – as much about eating disorders LEARN – as much about eating disorders as you can.as you can.

KNOW THE DIFFERENCES –between facts KNOW THE DIFFERENCES –between facts and myths about weight, nutrition and and myths about weight, nutrition and exercise.exercise.

BE HONEST – talk openly and honestly BE HONEST – talk openly and honestly about your concerns with the person who about your concerns with the person who is struggling with eating disorders or body is struggling with eating disorders or body image problems.image problems.

BE CARING, BUT BE FIRM – don’t be BE CARING, BUT BE FIRM – don’t be manipulated by your friend. Your manipulated by your friend. Your friend must be responsible for their friend must be responsible for their actions and the consequences of actions and the consequences of these actions. Don’t make promises these actions. Don’t make promises you can’t uphold…..”I promise not to you can’t uphold…..”I promise not to tell anyone…”tell anyone…”

COMPLIMENT – your friend’s COMPLIMENT – your friend’s personality, successes, or personality, successes, or accomplishments….”true beauty” is accomplishments….”true beauty” is not simply skin deep….not simply skin deep….

More on How To Help…..More on How To Help…..

BE A GOOD ROLE MODEL – be a BE A GOOD ROLE MODEL – be a sensible eater…show how you sensible eater…show how you exercise and that you are self-exercise and that you are self-accepting….accepting….

Last, but not least….TELL SOMEONE- Last, but not least….TELL SOMEONE- It may seem difficult to know when, if It may seem difficult to know when, if at all, to tell someone else about at all, to tell someone else about your concerns..but do it…….who can your concerns..but do it…….who can you tell??? you tell???

Start with…..Start with…..

Guidance Guidance CounselorCounselor

Turning Point Turning Point CounselorCounselor

Health Teacher….Health Teacher…. DoctorDoctor ParentParent