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In this article, the following topics are mentioned: eating disorders, body image, body appearance, body weight, suicide.
An eating disorder is a serious mental illness that disrupts the life of the individual suffering from it. Eating disorders are generally characterised by severe disturbances in behaviour regarding eating, food, body weight and shape. Someone suffering from an eating disorder is often fixated on controlling these parts of their life. Internationally, about 70 million people live with eating disorders.
People with eating disorders are greatly impacted by their illness, which often has lifelong physical, psychological and social consequences.
Eating disorders don’t discriminate. They can affect anyone, regardless of sex, gender, cultural background, body weight or shape and age.
As is the case with any illness, don’t judge a book by its cover. An individual who suffers from an eating disorder may appear healthy, but can be very ill due to the severity of their illness.
Treatments for eating disorders usually focus on regaining a healthy relationship with food, restoring weight and normalising eating. Treatment should also include body image, working towards a better relationship with the body.
Eating disorders are very complex illnesses and are often a symptom of other underlying psychological disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and substance abuse, making it crucial to treat the underlying issue.
There are many different types of eating disorders. Here, we will discuss the most common ones.
Anorexia nervosa is characterised by restrictive eating, not eating, eating only small amounts or certain types of food. People suffering from anorexia nervosa also have a hyperfocus on losing weight.
Anorexia nervosa can be divided into two subcategories, namely:
Anorexia nervosa can be fatal due to malnutrition or medical complications that come from it. Moreover, individuals diagnosed with anorexia nervosa are more likely to die from suicide.
Bulimia nervosa is characterised by alternating dieting or restrictive eating with binge eating (usually) high calorie foods.
People who suffer from bulimia nervosa experience a lack of control over their eating during a binge. After their binge eating, a person suffering from bulimia nervosa tries to compensate for their binge behaviour in order to prevent weight gain, for example by vomiting, the use of laxatives, excessive exercise or a combination of compensatory behaviours.
Bulimia nervosa, just like anorexia nervosa, can bring along serious health risks, like stomach and cardiovascular problems.
Binge eating disorder is, as the name suggests, a disorder in which an individual consumes a large amount of food during a short period of time, which is similar to bulimia nervosa.
However, people suffering from BED don’t regularly compensate for their binges, which can lead to serious health complications, such as obesity and cardiovascular problems.
People suffering from BED often eat when they are not hungry and may eat until they feel sick or extremely full. They experience a lack of control and feel guilty after eating.
A diagnosis is formed based on the frequency of binge eating: once a week or more for three months.
Orthorexia nervosa is a disturbed eating pattern in which individuals are fixated on “clean” eating, where they avoid certain types of foods that are not considered healthy. As other eating disorders, this can cause malnutrition, social isolation and psychological stress.
The eating disorders described above are the most common ones. In recent years, many other types have been described, such as OSFED (other specified feeding or eating disorder), ARFID (Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder), Pica, Rumination disorder and UFED (Unspecified Feeding or Eating Disorder).
Are you suffering from an eating disorder or do you know someone who is suffering from an eating disorder and are you looking for help? Contact your primary healthcare provider so they can help you find the right psychological help. It is important to know that you are not alone in this and that there are professionals who can guide you towards your recovery.
If you need a listening ear and a safe space to speak to someone, De Luisterlijn (088 0767 000) is also a free support service within the Netherlands which you can call 24/7.
If you are having suicidal thoughts or feelings, know that you are not alone and help is available. You can find help via 113 (suicide prevention).
For more information about eating disorders, their symptoms and treatment options, please visit:
There are tons of books on eating disorders. Here is a small selection of book suggestions. If you have any suggestions, please let us know via editors@subshape.nl.
Non-fiction / self-help books
Goodbye ed, hello me by Jenni Schaefer (2010)
Help your teenager beat an eating disorder by James Lock MD PhD & Daniel Le Grange PhD (2005)
Not all black girls know how to eat by Stephanie Covington Armstrong (2009)
Een emmer kots in de kast by Charlie Paludanus (2022) (Dutch)
Fiction
Ink in water by Lacy J. Davis (2017) (Graphic Novel)
Vel by Sabien Clement & Mieke Versyp (2021) (Graphic Novel)
Nothing by Robin Friedman (2008) (YA Fiction)
Illustration by Shanta Jethoe
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