Mental health can be described as the absence of a mental disorder. It is to strike a balance between the activities of life and achievement of psychological resilience. It is the ability of an individual to enjoy life while having a sense of emotional wellbeing.

When a person is said to have good mental health he can realize his abilities, can cope with stress, can contribute productivity to work, and society.

Mental Disorder:

Mental disorder also known as mental illness is a psychological or behavioral pattern which causes a disability in an individual. This disability or distress is not a part of the normal development cycle of an individual’s mental health and progress.

Eating disorders:

Eating disorder is a type of mental disorder. It adversely affects an individual’s physical and mental health. Anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating are three of the commonly known eating disorders. It is a reflection of an underlying physiological problem.

Binge eating – is a disorder in which people experience episodes of uncontrollable overeating. The person may eat more food at a given time or eat faster than normal. They eat even when they are not hungry and eat simply because they are sad, depressed or even bored.

Orthorexia nervosa – is another form of disorder where the individual is obsessed with only healthy food and is so particular of choosing the food that contains healthy and natural ingredients that they end up suffering from mal nutrition.

Causes of Eating Disorders:

Eating disorder is combination of psychological, genetic, family, social and family factors. The intense fear of gaining weight or thinking that one looks bigger than they actually are can cause individuals to over eat.

Problems at home can cause the risk of eating disorders. Celebrities who are extremely thin may influence teenage boys and girls to believe that the ideal of beauty is extreme thinness, leading in compulsive exercising and abnormal eating.

Another cause of eating disorder is low self esteem, where individuals feel that a focus on weight can help them gain a sense of control over their lives

Effects of Eating Disorders:

Eating disorder can cause adversely affects mental health and causes several health conditions. It can lead to heart and kidney failure. It can also lead to severe malnutrition and even death in some cases. Some more effects of eating disorders are as mentioned below

Effects of Anorexia

• Reduced pulse rate, breathing problem and low blood pressure
• Hair loss and brittle nails
• Changes in menstrual cycle in women
• Lack of focus and concentration
• Joint and bone problems

Effects of Bulimia

• Stomach pain
• Kidney failure
• Abnormal menstrual cycle
• Loss of potassium contributing to heart problem

Treatment

Treatment is not only the curing but identification and prevention of eating disorders. Symptoms such as obsession with weight control or eating, withdrawal from social activities, being depressed or lethargic, and weighing you regularly give an indication that an individual is suffering from mental health problems

Individuals who are confronted with this problem may often react defensively at first. An encouraging and supportive family member who has received treatment can be a great help to the person suffering. Professional help along with usage of “I” statements instead of confronting “YOU” statements can go a long way in helping the individual accept his/her problem.

Treatment involves medical supervision, therapy and nutritional counseling. The objective of such treatment should be to focus on new patterns about thinking and approaching food. Individuals who are under severe malnutrition may require to be hospitalized. Early diagnosis will ensure that the treatment is short lived just as in any other disease.

Prevention is about developing a healthy attitude towards food and nutrition. It is important to talk about heath of an individual rather than his/ her weight. Exercise and regular fun and rewarding activities can help create a healthy lifestyle. It improves mental health and physical fitness. It is vital to learn to appreciate ones body and self image for what it is and that the body is healthy and strong and a wonderful gift.

Causes, Effects and Treatment of Eating Disorders is a post from: Mental Health