Eating Disorders
Eating
disorders are often misunderstood. They are sometimes dismissed as dieting that
has gone too far, a wish to look a certain way, or a problem affecting only
teenage girls. In reality, eating disorders are serious mental health
conditions that can affect people of any age, gender or background. They affect
a person’s relationship with food, eating, exercise and body image, and they
can have significant consequences for both physical and mental health.
Understanding
eating disorders beyond these stereotypes helps families, friends and
communities respond with compassion and recognise when someone needs
professional support. It also helps to challenge the stigma that prevents many
people from speaking up about their struggles.
The Main
Types of Eating Disorders
Anorexia
nervosa often involves significant restriction of food intake, intense concern
about gaining weight and difficulties with body image. Some individuals also
engage in excessive exercise or other behaviours intended to influence weight
or shape. Bulimia nervosa involves repeated episodes of binge eating followed
by behaviours intended to compensate for the food consumed, such as
self-induced vomiting, fasting or excessive exercise.
Binge
eating disorder involves repeated episodes of eating unusually large amounts of
food while feeling unable to control the eating. Unlike bulimia nervosa, these
episodes are not regularly followed by compensatory behaviours. Avoidant or
restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) involves avoiding or significantly restricting
food for reasons that are not primarily about weight or body shape. This may be
linked to sensory sensitivities, a lack of interest in food or a fear of
unpleasant consequences from eating. Other feeding and eating disorders include
pica, rumination disorder and other specified or unspecified eating disorders.
Warning
Signs to Look Out For
Eating
disorders do not always have an obvious physical appearance. Someone may be
struggling even when you cannot tell by looking at them. Possible warning signs
include becoming increasingly preoccupied with food, weight or body shape;
frequently skipping meals or significantly restricting certain foods; and
episodes of eating unusually large amounts of food. A person may eat secretly
or avoid eating with others, check their weight or appearance often, or
exercise excessively or compulsively. An intense fear of gaining weight,
significant changes in mood, and increasing social withdrawal may also be
present.
Physical
signs can include dizziness, weakness or persistent fatigue, digestive
problems, changes in menstrual patterns, and changes in hair, skin or nails.
Noticeable weight changes, whether gain or loss, may occur. A person does not
need to display all of these signs in order to need support.
What
Causes Eating Disorders?
There
is no single cause of an eating disorder. They may develop through a complex
combination of biological and genetic factors, psychological and emotional
difficulties, trauma or stressful life experiences, family and relationship
factors, social and cultural pressures, body image concerns and other mental
health conditions. Eating disorders are not simply a choice, and telling
someone to “just eat” or to “stop worrying about their
weight” is unlikely to address the underlying problem.
Treatment
and Recovery
Eating
disorders are treatable, and early intervention can improve recovery. Treatment
depends on the type and severity of the condition and often involves a
multidisciplinary team of mental health and medical professionals. Support may
include medical and nutritional assessment, psychological therapy, individual
or family-based interventions, and nutritional rehabilitation. Treatment for
co-occurring mental health conditions is also important. Depending on
individual needs, care may be provided on an outpatient or inpatient basis, and
ongoing monitoring and relapse-prevention support help people maintain their
progress.
Because
eating disorders can cause serious physical complications, professional
assessment is essential. It is not safe or realistic to manage significant
symptoms alone, and early specialist input gives the best chance of a full
recovery.
How We
Can Support Someone
The
language we use around food, weight and appearance matters. We can create
healthier environments by avoiding negative comments about someone’s body or
weight, and by refraining from labelling foods or bodies as simply good or bad.
Listening without judgement and taking concerns about eating behaviours
seriously can make a real difference. Encouraging professional support without
shame or blame is important, as is focusing compliments on qualities beyond
physical appearance. Challenging the stigma and misconceptions that surround
eating disorders helps people feel able to ask for help.
Remember
that you cannot always see an eating disorder. A person’s appearance does not
tell us whether they are struggling, and recovery is possible for people of
every shape and size.
Where to
Find Help
At
Chiromo Hospital Group, we provide professional assessment and individualised
mental health support for people experiencing eating disorders and related
psychological challenges. Look beyond appearance, listen without judgement,
encourage early support, and remember that recovery is possible.
Where to
Find Help
If
you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call the Chiromo Hospital Group
Emergency Line at +254 203 971 000, or come to the nearest Chiromo Hospital
Group facility.
CHG Support
• Call Emergency Line +254 203 971 000
