Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia Nervosa is a serious, potentially life-threatening eating disorder characterized by self-starvation and excessive weight-loss.
The symptoms that are associated with anorexia include:
- Refusal to maintain a body weight at or above the minimal normal weight for that person's age, height, body type and activity level
- Intense fear of gaining weight
- Feeling "fat" even after large amount of weight loss has occurred
- Loss of menstrual periods
- Deep concern with body weight and shape
Warning signs that someone may be struggling with anorexia include:
- Dramatic weight loss over a short period of time
- Anxiety about gaining weight or being "fat"
- Obsession with weight, food, caloric intake, fat intake and dieting
- Commenting about one's feeling "fat", even after weight loss has occurred
- Does not eat foods in public places, rather tends to eat in secret
- Not feeling a sense of hunger or ignoring hunger sensations
- Change in eating behaviors such as eating only certain foods, cutting food up into extremely small pieces on a plate, excessive chewing
- Withdrawal from regular activities and friends
Bulimia
Bulimia Nervosa is a serious, potentially life-threatening eating disorder characterized by a cycle of binge and compensatory behaviors such as self-induced vomiting designed to undo or compensate for the effects of binge eating.
The symptoms associated with bulimia include:
- Regular intake of large amounts of food accompanied by a sense of loss of control over eating
- Regular use of inappropriate compensatory behaviors such as self-induced vomiting, laxative or diuretic abuse, fasting, and/or obsessive exercising
- Extreme concern with body weight and shape
Warning signs that someone may be struggling with bulimia include:
- Evidence of binge-eating, including disappearance of large amounts of food in short periods of time or the existence of wrappers and containers indicating the consumption of large amounts of food
- Evidence of purging behaviors, including frequent trips to the bathroom after meals, signs and/or smells of vomiting, presence of wrappers or packages of laxatives or diuretics
- Excessive, rigid exercise regimen--despite weather, fatigue, illness, or injury—the need to "burn off" calories taken in
- Unusual swelling of the cheeks or jaw area
- Calluses on the back of the hands and knuckles from self-induced vomiting
- Discoloration or staining of the teeth
- Creation of complex lifestyle schedules or rituals to make time for binge-and-purge sessions
- Withdrawal from usual friends and activities
- In general, behaviors and attitudes indicating that weight loss, dieting, and control of food are becoming primary concerns
Binge Eating/Compulsive Overeating
Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is a type of eating disorder not otherwise specified and is characterized by recurrent binge eating without the regular use of compensatory measures to counter the binge eating.
Symptoms associated with binge eating disorder include:
- Frequent episodes of eating large quantities of food in short periods of time
- Feeling out of control over eating behavior
- Feeling ashamed or disgusted by the behavior
- There are also several behavioral indicators of BED including eating when not hungry and eating in secret
Warning signs that someone may be struggling with binge eating disorder include:
- Evidence of binge-eating, including disappearance of large amounts of food in short periods of time or the existence of wrappers and containers indicating the consumption of large amounts of food
- Excessive weight gain
- Feelings of self-disgust and shame
Other: In some instances, there are other types of illnesses that have been closely associated with eating disorders simply because their symptoms and effects are so similar to anorexia, bulimia or binge eating. These include, but are not limited to:
- Body Dysmorphic Disorder: Also known as BDD, this disorder is one in which a person becomes obsessed with worry about his or her appearance. Often times this severe preoccupation is focused on weight, and can lead to eating disorders. BDD can be particularly devastating to the person because those who suffer the symptoms find it difficult to focus on normal daily activities.
- Compulsive Exercising Disorder: This disorder is considered a type of eating disorder in which a person uses exercise as a form of purging food that has been eaten. As with other eating disorders, compulsive exercising gives a similar feeling of control over one's eating and life.
There are many different types of eating disorders. If you suspect that you are suffering from similar symptoms but do not feel that your situation is fully described by one of the above mentioned types of disorders, please reach out to the Student Health Center where you can be provided with more information and speak to someone who can help.
Types of Treatment Available
There are many different types of treatments available, all of which aim to foster a caring, safe and confidential environment necessary for recovery. Many of these treatments are readily available for NYU students through the Student Health Center. A brief outline of the types of treatment options is provided below. It is a very personal choice as to which options are best for the individual, so a decision should be made on this basis.
Nutritional Counseling: A critical part of dealing with an eating disorder revolves around education of proper nutrition and healthy eating choices. Nutritional counseling can help in this regard to provide the necessary information. This counseling is readily available to NYU Students. One-on-one sessions can be scheduled, and in most cases fees are covered through student health plan. For appointments, call 212-443-1122.
Psychological Counseling: This type of counseling focuses on addressing the symptoms of the eating disorder as well as the psychological, interpersonal and cultural forces that may contribute to an eating disorder. The Student Health Center offers counseling services either with a psychologist or social worker. For appointments, call 212-998-4780.
Outpatient Care: Outpatient care includes individual, family or group therapy sessions in which both psychological and nutritional counseling play an integral part. The primary difference is that outpatient care often offers a more supervised controlled environment. Most outpatient services are provided through organizations that specialize in this type of treatment. For information on outpatient programs, please contact the Health Promotion & Wellness Services at 212-443-1234.
Inpatient Care: May include hospitalization or in-resident care when an eating disorder becomes life threatening. Most inpatient care is provided through organizations or hospitals that specialize in this type of treatment. For information on inpatient care, please contact the Health Promotion & Wellness Services at 212-443-1234.