Eating disorders have reached epidemic proportions in the United States.
There are close to 10 million women and one million men suffering from
anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and associated conditions such as binge
eating. Complications of eating disorders are serious, and can include
malnutrition, organ damage, emotional distress and death. Eating disorders
have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness.
A large percentage of people with eating disorders fail to seek any help;
for others, adequate treatment remains elusive. Many programs fail to recognize
and treat co-existing disorders such as depression and anxiety.
Columbia University Medical Center has dedicated 30 years of research to actively developing evidence-based therapies. While total cure has eluded clinical scientists who are dedicated to treating this disorder, there are some novel treatments being studied that are showing great potential.
What is an Eating Disorder?
Eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa (AN), and bulimia nervosa (BN) are characterized by serious disturbances in eating behaviors as well as intense preoccupation with issues regarding eating, weight, body size and shape. Eating concerns and disordered eating behavior fall on a spectrum. While someone may not meet the very specific criteria outlined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) for anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, these individuals may fit into a category called Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS) which includes those individuals who struggle from binge eating disorder.
What are Signs and Symptoms of an Eating Disorder?
People who answer yes to a significant number of these questions may have an eating problem. If you are concerned that you may have a problem please contact your doctor, a mental health professional or call our clinic at 212-543-5739.
- I worry about gaining weight.
- I am preoccupied with losing weight.
- I frequently diet or feel the need to be on a diet
- My mood depends on my weight, and if I gain a pound I can be depressed or irritable.
- I feel bad about myself if I gain weight.
- If I gain one pound, I worry that I will continue to gain weight.
- I think of certain foods as being either "good" or "bad" and feel guilty about eating bad foods.
- I use food to comfort myself.
- At times when I am eating I feel I have lost control.
- I spend a significant amount of time thinking about food and when I will eat.
- I try to hide how much I eat.
- I have thought about or have self-induced vomiting as a way to control my weight.
- After eating, I may use laxatives, diuretics or exercise to prevent weight gain.
- I am dissatisfied with my body size and shape.
- I eat until I am stuffed.
