An eating disorder is a psychiatric disorder in which severe disturbances in eating behaviours and related thoughts and emotions are experienced. Most often, signs and symptoms of an eating disorder are first experienced in adolescence or early adulthood, with the onset usually being a stressful life event. Eating disorder types include:
- Anorexia Nervosa
- Bulimia Nervosa
- Binge Eating
- Pica
- Pervasive Arousal Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS)
An Eating Disorder is NOT a Lifestyle Choice!
Anorexia Nervosa
An individual with anorexia nervosa aims to lose weight deliberately through restricted dietary choices, excessive exercise, induced vomiting, appetite suppressants, and diuretics.
Anorexia Nervosa symptoms include:
- muscle weakness
- irregular menstrual cycle
- hair thinning
- dental problems
- impaired functioning of the immune system
Common comorbidities of anorexia nervosa include depression, OCD, social phobia, and PTSD.
Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia Nervosa features similar psychological features in anorexia nervosa. An individual with this eating disorder experiences excessive worry about ways to control body weight, and so, aims to eat excessive amounts of food, followed by induced vomiting. These bingeing episodes usually happen several times a week.
Individuals with bulimia nervosa may have a history of anorexia nervosa, with the switch to bulimia nervosa frequently resulting from worrying of family members or friends.
NOTE: Body weight of individuals with bulimia nervosa may range from slightly underweight to obese.
Pica
Pica, which is an eating disorder that commonly affects children under the age of 6, is the persistent eating of substance which have no nutritional value such as clay, dirt, and flaking paint. Pica can feature as an individual psychopathological behaviour, or as one of the symptoms of another psychiatric disorder, such as autism.
Common causes of Pica include malnutrition and iron-deficiency anaemia.
Diagnosis requires the eating disorder to be developmentally inappropriate, and to persist for at least a month.
Pervasive Arousal Withdrawal Syndrome PAWS
Pervasive Arousal Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS) a.k.a. Pervasive Refusal Syndrome is characterised by food and drink refusal with sudden onset following a tough health-related situation such as illness, pain or virus, or a traumatic event. PAWS is in fact commonly experienced by child refugees.
Refusal of food and drink may also be accompanied by social withdrawal, partial or complete lack of self-care, and partial or complete mobilisation refusal.
An individual with Pervasive Arousal Withdrawal Syndrome quite commonly resists any encouraging attempts of interaction or food/drink intake.
Eating Disorder Treatment
Psychopharmacology
- Anti-depressants
- Anti-psychotics
- Mood stabilisers
Psychosocial Interventions
- Individual psychotherapy
- Group psychotherapy
- Family psychotherapy
- Medical care
- Nutritional Counseling
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy CBT
In Malta, individuals with eating disorders can be referred to Dar Kenn Għal Saħħtek, which offers day services as well as in-patient services.
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Claire is keen about public education on health-related subjects as well as holistic patient-centered care. She is also passionate about spreading awareness on the negative effects that domestic abuse leaves on its victims’ mental, emotional, social and physical wellbeing.
Claire aspires to continue studying following completion of her Nursing Degree, because she truly believes in lifelong education.
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