Here is everything you need to know about eating disorders.- Know what are eating disorders and when you need to pay attention to them.

An eating disorder is a psychological problem characterized by significant and ongoing disturbances in eating patterns and the uncomfortable thoughts and feelings that go with them. This can sometimes be a very serious condition. Which has an impact on social, psychological and physical functioning. Anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, pica and rumination disorder are examples of many eating disorders. Let us know when it becomes very important to pay attention to them.

Often, eating disorders are caused by anxiety and depression, as well as by alcohol or other drugs. Some people are more likely to develop an eating disorder than others, but eating disorders can also affect people with no genetic history of the problem.

To know more on this topic, we spoke to nutritionist and wellness expert Karishma Shah.

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When can an eating disorder turn fatal?

Karishma Shah explained that self-harm and eating disorders serve a purpose for a person who is facing an internal struggle. Oftentimes, they explain that the physical pain caused by self-harm or eating disorder behaviors helps to distract or numb the emotional pain. Often, most people resort to self-harm behaviors to punish themselves in response to feelings of guilt or shame.

For example, someone struggling with anxiety may feel like their only option is to binge, which only provides short-term relief. After a while, the person feels ashamed of the calories consumed during the binge.

Involuntary actions essentially serve as a means to express, transform, or suppress unwanted or overpowering emotions. People who cope with self-harm and eating disorders often struggle to verbalize and process their feelings. Because of which they express themselves through their body.

People who deal with self-harm often also deal with body unhappiness, impulsivity, low self-esteem, loneliness and self-criticism, in addition to feeling overwhelmed emotionally.

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what can be the treatment then

There is no specific treatment for self harm. Like most mental health illnesses, its treatment involves identifying and addressing the causes within the individual. These may include low self-esteem, impulsivity, depression, family conflict, and poverty or abuse.

The person will often go to therapy with symptoms that are not related to self-harm. These may include trouble sleeping or feeling depressed. Injuries caused by self-harm are often noted by the therapist throughout the session, and over time, techniques are taught to prevent this activity.

Self-harm behavior can be avoided by developing a healthy lifestyle and building emotional stability to better handle negative emotions such as anger, grief, and loneliness. It can be helpful –

learn to handle difficult situations

Learn how to increase your self-perception and self-worth

Improve your social and relational skills by learning new things

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