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NEDA TOOLKIT for Educators Frequently asked questions about eating disorders What is an eating disorder? Eating disorders are serious but treatable illnesses with medical and psychiatric aspects. The DSM-5, published in 2013, recognizes anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder (BED) as diagnosable eating disorders. Some eating disorders combine elements of several diagnostic classifications and are known as “other specified feeding or eating disorder” (OSFED). Eating disorders often coexist with a mental illness such as depression, anxiety, or obsessive-compulsive disorder. People with an eating disorder typically become obsessed with food, body image, and weight. The disorders can become very serious, chronic, and sometimes even life-threatening if not recognized and treated appropriately. into the disorder. Many clinical experts prefer the term “remission” and look at eating disorders as a chronic condition that can be very effectively managed to achieve complete remission from signs and symptoms. Patients may, however, be at risk of a relapse in the future. Many patients in recovery agree that remission more accurately describes their recovery because they need to continuously manage their relationship with food, concepts about body image, and any coexisting mental condition, such as depression. Who gets eating disorders? Yes. Anyone who feels the need to either starve or purge food to feel better has unhealthy attitudes about one or more issues, such as physical appearance and body image, food, or underlying psychological factors. This doesn’t necessarily mean the person has a diagnosable eating disorder, but it does warrant expressing concern to the person about their behavior. If he or she denies the problem or gets defensive, it might be helpful to have information about what eating disorders actually are. Contact the National Eating Disorders Association’s Information and Referral Helpline for information and resources to help you learn how to talk to someone you care about. Call toll-free (1-800- 931-2237) or visit www.nationaleatingdisorders.org for a Click to Chat option. Males and females may develop eating disorders as early as elementary school. While it’s true that eating disorders are more commonly diagnosed in females than in males, and more often during adolescence and early adulthood than in older ages, many cases are also being recognized in men and women in their 30s, 40s, and older. Eating disorders affect people of all socioeconomic classes, although it was once believed that they disproportionately affected upper socioeconomic groups. Anorexia nervosa ranks as the third most common chronic illness among adolescent females in the United States. Recent studies suggest that up to 7% of US females have had bulimia at some time in their lives. At any given time an estimated 5% of the US population has undiagnosed bulimia. Current findings suggest that binge eating disorder affects 0.7% to 4% of the general population. (Smink, van Hoeken and Hoek, 2012) Can eating disorders be cured? Many people with eating disorders who are treated early and appropriately can achieve a full and long- term recovery. Some call it a “cure” and others call it “full remission” or “long-term remission.” Among individuals whose symptoms improve — even if the symptoms are not totally gone (called a “partial remission”) — the burden of the illness can be greatly diminished. This can encourage increased happiness and productivity, a healthier relationship with food, and an improved quality of life. Treatment must be tailored to the individual patient and family. Controversy exists around the term “cure,” which can imply that a patient does not have to be concerned with relapse If someone I know intentionally vomits after meals, but only before big events — not all the time — should I be concerned? I know someone who exercises for three or four every day. Is this considered a sign of an eating disorder? Perhaps. If the person is not training for a rigorous athletic event (like the Olympics), and the compulsion is driven by a desire to lose weight despite being within a normal weight range, or by guilt due to bingeing, then, yes, the compulsion to exercise is a dimension of an eating disorder. If you know the person well, talk to him/her about the reasons he or she exercises so much. If you are concerned about their weight or the rationale behind the excessive exercise regime, lead the person to information and resources that could help. Page  | 5