Eating Disorders Awareness

Articles

Feb 1

National Eating Disorder Awareness Week takes place this year from February 21st to the 27th. This week is dedicated to examining and understanding the different types of eating disorders that are prevalent in our society and providing awareness and hope to the families that are affected. Visibility is so important, and there are many misconceptions about eating disorders and who is affected by them.

What is an Eating Disorder?

An eating disorder is an illness that focuses on a person's consumption habits as a way to control their physical appearance. There is the misconception that only young people experience eating disorders, however, older individuals are equally as impacted. Medical News Today explains that “eating disorders can affect anyone at any time regardless of age, gender identity, race, ethnicity, sexuality or cultural background.” These disorders severely impact someone’s quality of life from their relationship to their own body to their relationships with other people they care about.

An article by Cambridge Press states that “older people with eating disorders tend to belong to one of three categories: those with a chronic disorder from a much younger age, those that were identified and treated and the disorder has recurred, and those that first develop the disorder in later life.” These disorders often start as a way for an individual to attempt to control the circumstances in their life when they feel they don’t have many other options. These conditions are also associated with traumatic events that can deeply impact a person.

According to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), Nearly 20 million women and 10 million men experience a clinically significant eating disorder in the United States. Each disorder can have immensely dangerous side effects on each person's physical body.

Common Types of Eating Disorders

There are many different forms of eating disorders including bulimia, anorexia, and binge-eating. The type of disorder that occurs is typically dependent on an individual’s circumstances, mental health, and lived experience.

Bulimia Nervosa

This involves binge-eating and then purging through an unhealthy method that affects the body in other harmful ways. It may include purging through inducing vomit or taking medicines such as laxatives for weight loss supplements that show immediate results.

Anorexia Nervosa

The characterization of this disorder is that it typically skews the person's perception of their body weight and makes them go to extreme measures for fear of gaining weight. This includes not eating for long lengths of time. It is considered a restrictive disorder.

Binge-Eating

This disorder involves consuming unusually large servings of food in one sitting usually by compulsion.

Unique Challenges for Advanced Age

There are a number of unique symptoms we typically see in individuals of advanced age who are diagnosed with an eating disorder, including:

A desire to eat alone
Increase or decrease in weight over a short period (not a result of older age)
Avoiding meals
Hair loss
Dental issues/tooth loss
Heart issues
Gastrointestinal issues

The older someone gets the harder it is for their organs to continue to fight against the damage that is being caused to their body. Any form of binge-eating can cause diabetes, hypertension, a strain on organs, cancer, and many additional problems for digestion. A disorder like bulimia causes chronic acid reflux, tooth decay, dehydration, low levels of minerals needed to sustain chemical balances, which can lead to strokes or heart attacks if left untreated. Anorexia, on the other hand, causes your body to dispose of the nutrients you need to stay healthy, which can lead to anemia, low blood pressure, thinning of the bones, malnutrition, or when fatal, heart and organ failure.

These things are hard to overcome at any age but the older someone gets the harder it is for organs to function properly, especially with this level of strain. Health conditions that are already common for older adults such as osteoporosis, blood pressure, and cardiac issues become even more likely for individuals who have had an eating disorder for a long period of time and are lacking in the nutrients their bodies need to fight off these other diseases.

Because these disorders often begin as a way for individuals to attempt to control their circumstances, it is possible they can be triggered throughout the lifespan when individuals may not have the necessary coping mechanisms in their routine. It is inevitable that we will be confronted with illness, death, etc. as we age, but in this scenario, individuals of advanced age have less capacity to confront things without reverting to their disorder, primarily for those who have dealt with their disorder for an extended period of their life.

Occupational Therapy for Eating Disorders

Occupational therapy is beneficial for individuals recovering from an eating disorder because it focuses on the senses (sight, touch, taste, movement, and sound) to help individuals with their recovery. People who suffer from these disorders have, in some cases, used their disorder to cope with their fear in response to difficult situations. Sensory awareness techniques such as handling different objects to redirect attention help keep the individual present by using this item to calm down during a stressful time. There are many different techniques employed by Occupational therapists to suit the needs of the individual, so it’s always recommended that you work with your therapist to determine the right course of treatment for your specific needs.

Occupational therapy also encompasses the disciplines of behavioral and mental health. Many different triggers may exist, so sometimes many different methods for coping or managing these disorders can be helpful. Some other examples of tools that may be used include different colored lights, scented sprays or aromatherapy oils, different textures of blankets, fidget spinners, different types of flavored food or candy, and much more. In order to know which will work best, it is best to promote open discussion with your or your loved one’s therapist, as you may already have a grasp of what could be soothing in these difficult moments.

Speech Therapy for Eating Disorders

Elderly individuals are often affected by eating disorders as a result of comorbidity. Aside from the issues that can be caused by other illnesses or diseases as we age, elderly individuals are more predisposed to developing dysphagia. This condition is characterized by a difficulty moving food along the proper passageways to reach the stomach, which can have a major impact on a person’s overall nutritional intake. Speech-language pathologists work with individuals of all ages and engage in feeding therapy to aid when diagnosed with a disorder like dysphagia.

National Eating Disorders Week is dedicated to promoting an understanding of the nuances and longevity of each type of disorder. As more people understand the long-term effects of these disorders, they can hold space for their loved ones and know that it is a very difficult thing to get through on their own. Every individual deserves care and understanding from their loved ones and community in order to live a healthy life without feeling shame. Get involved this year and visit https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/get-involved/nedawareness to learn more.