Risk factors such as a strong ideal of thinness, restrictive eating, fear of being fat, family factors, psychological stress and stress can be important for its development. The main forms of eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, binge eating disorder (bulimia nervosa), binge eating disorder and latent eating disorder. However, these forms can merge and mix.
Anorexia is characterized by intentional and self-induced weight loss. By starving and counting calories, we try to feed the body as little food as possible; physical activity is intended to increase energy consumption. The perception of figure, weight and appearance is often disturbed and there is a fear of gaining weight. The consequences of anorexia include underweight, anemia, muscle loss and malnutrition, even osteoporosis and infertility, high susceptibility to infections and social isolation in connection with depression.
Binge eating addiction is an eating disorder characterized by the alternation of repeated binge eating and attempts to lose weight. The loss of control during hunger attacks is characteristic. Those affected are very afraid of gaining weight. To compensate for the excessive food and energy intake, countermeasures such as vomiting, excessive exercise, abuse of laxatives, fasting or enemas are taken. Binge eating addiction can lead to disorders of electrolyte metabolism, inflammation of the esophagus, tooth damage and deficiency symptoms. Since a disturbed electrolyte balance can attack the heart, heart failure and therefore death can occur, especially if the binge eating and vomiting addiction is accompanied by being underweight.
Binge eating occurs when recurring cravings occur on at least two days a week for six months. This involves eating a significantly larger amount of food particularly quickly, even though you don’t feel physically hungry, or eating so much until you feel uncomfortably full. The affected person loses control over food intake. Overeating is perceived as stressful and feelings of disgust, shame or depression occur after eating. Binge eating can lead to obesity because, in contrast to bulimia, there is no measure to prevent weight gain through vomiting, intensive exercise or fasting.
Latent food addicts, on the other hand, show strictly controlled eating behavior, suffer from a distorted body image and start one diet after another. Latent food addiction is often the basis for other eating disorders such as bulimia or anorexia. Those affected are convinced that they can only maintain their normal weight with the help of diets. However, due to the permanent and often radical starvation diets, the dreaded yo-yo effect often sets in.
The basis for successful therapy for all forms of eating disorders is initially the patient’s insight. The ultimate goal is then to normalize body weight, whereby behavioral therapy support is necessary. With the help of special therapy concepts such as nutritional, confrontational, individual or family therapies and psychological support, even severe and long-term eating disorders can now be treated with good success.
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