EDs constitute a group of mental disorders characterized by altered behavior regarding food intake or the appearance of weight control behaviors. This alteration leads to physical problems or psychosocial functioning of the individual. The current classifications of EDs include AN, BN and other less specific disorders called EDAD.
The first descriptions of AN date back to the 17th century, when Morton established that the origin of this disorder, unlike other states of malnutrition, was a disturbance of the nervous system accompanied by sadness and worries. In the 19th century it was described as an individual psychopathological condition similar to that observed today, although it was thought to be a mental illness. The history of BN is much more recent, with the number of people affected increasing considerably in recent years. Among the reasons, possibly its less dramatic evolution and the ease of affected people to go unnoticed.
AN is an ED that manifests itself as an uncontrollable desire to be thin, accompanied by the voluntary practice of procedures to achieve it: strict restrictive diet and purgative behaviors (self-induced vomiting, laxative abuse, use of diuretics, etc.). Despite progressive weight loss, affected people have an intense fear of becoming obese. They present a distortion of body image, with extreme concern about diet, figure and weight, and persist in avoidance behaviors towards food with compensatory actions to counteract what they ingest (excessive physical hyperactivity, purging behaviors, etc.). They are usually not aware of the disease or the risk they run due to their behavior. Their attention is focused on weight loss, which causes nutritional deficiencies that can entail vital risks. Generally, there are previous personality traits with a tendency towards conformism, need for approval, hyper-responsibility, perfectionism and lack of response to internal needs.
BN is an ED that is characterized by episodes of binge eating (voracious and uncontrolled eating), in which a large amount of food is ingested in a short space of time and usually in secret. Affected people try to compensate for the effects of overeating through self-induced vomiting and/or other purging maneuvers (abuse of laxatives, use of diuretics, etc.) and physical hyperactivity. They show unhealthy concern about weight and figure. In BN, weight changes do not necessarily occur; normal, low, or overweight weight may occur. BN is usually a hidden disorder, as it easily goes unnoticed, and people experience feelings of shame and guilt. The affected person usually asks for help when the problem is already advanced.
TCANE are usually incomplete AN or BN pictures, either because they have started or because they are in the process of resolution. Therefore, in them we will see symptoms similar to AN or BN but without creating a complete picture, although no less serious. NEEDs also include disorders such as the habitual use of inappropriate compensatory behaviors (after eating small amounts of food, chewing them and expelling the food) and recurrent compulsive episodes of eating but without compensatory behaviors. TA is an entity in the study phase to determine if we are dealing with a disorder different from the rest of NEED or simply a mild form of BN. The main difference with BN is the absence of compensatory mechanisms for binge eating, so over time the patient moves inexorably towards a problem of overweight or obesity.
Warning signs are those behaviors that may be related to the possible existence of an eating disorder (ED). These are not diagnostic criteria and, therefore, do not confirm the disease. To diagnose it, it is essential that the person who seems to be suffering from it be evaluated by mental health professionals. But despite not being valid for diagnosing an eating disorder, they are signs that can inform us about the presence of the disease, so it is recommended that when faced with these signs you consult with a team of professionals.
What signs can warn us of a possible TCA?
In relation to food:
-Unjustified use of restrictive diets.
-State of constant worry about food.
-Exaggerated interest in cooking recipes.
-Feeling of guilt for having eaten.
-Strange eating behavior (eating speed, eating straight, etc.).
-Get up from the table and lock yourself in the bathroom after each meal.
-Increased frequency and amount of time spent in the bathroom.
-Avoid family meals.
-How quickly the food at home runs out.
-Find hidden food, for example, in your room.
-Find large amounts of food scraps, wrappers, etc. in your room or in the trash.
In relation to weight:
-Unjustified weight loss.
-Fear and exaggerated rejection of being overweight.
-Practice of compulsive physical exercise with the sole objective of losing weight.
-Practice of self-induced vomiting.
-Consumption of laxatives and diuretics.
-Amenorrhea (disappearance of the menstrual cycle for at least 3 consecutive months) if you are a woman, as a symptom due to malnutrition.
-Other physical symptoms due to malnutrition: cold hands and feet, dry skin, constipation, paleness or dizziness, hair loss, etc.
In relation to body image:
-Wrong perception of having a thick body.
-Attempts to hide the body with baggy clothing, for example.
In relation to behavior:
-Alteration of academic or work performance.
-Progressive isolation.
-Increased irritability and aggressiveness.
-Increased depressive symptoms and/or anxiety.
-Manipulative behaviors and appearance of lies.