Eating Disorders

 
Facts About Eating Disorders

In their lifetime, an estimated 0.5 percent to 3.7 percent of females suffer from anorexia and an estimated 1.1 percent to 4.2 percent suffer from bulimia.

Between 3 and 5 percent of all adolescent females have a diagnosable eating disorder.

Anorexia is much more common among females, however, males are less likely to seek treatment which complicates the disorder.

Among adolescents with eating disorders, many also have obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Eating Disorders

The term eating disorders refers to a variety of disorders. The common feature of all the eating disorders is abnormal eating behaviors. Eating disorders are serious mental health problems and can be life threatening.

Anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder are common eating disorders among adolescents and young adults. Obesity may also be included as an eating disorder and can affect individuals of all ages, including children, adolescents, and adults.

There are several types of eating disorders that require the clinical care of a psychiatrist or other mental health professional. Listed in the directory below are some, for which we have provided a brief overview.

Anorexia Nervosa

Bulimia Nervosa

Binge Eating Disorder

Latest Mental Health News
Mental woes more common in infertile couples

January 2, 2009 — NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Depression, anxiety and certain other mental health conditions are more common among infertile couples than those who are able to conceive on their own, a small study suggests.

Preemies face some risk of psychiatric disorders

January 2, 2009 — NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Results of a Swedish population-wide study hint that children born prematurely have some risk of developing anxiety, depression or other psychiatric disorder in adolescence and young adulthood.

Home as good as hospital for cardiac rehab

January 1, 2009 — NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Home-based rehabilitation is no worse than hospital-based programs for helping patients get better after a heart attack or surgery to clear blocked heart arteries, and may be more accessible for patients, research from the UK shows.

Select news items provided by Reuters Health