Eating Disorders

What are eating disorders?

Eating disorders are characterised as behavioural conditions with a disturbance in eating patterns.

There are two main types of eating disorders, including the following:

Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia occurs due to a distorted view of your personal body image, perceiving yourself as fat when in fact your body weight is significantly low, and you are unable to see it that way. Those diagnosed with anorexia have an overwhelming fear of gaining weight, even when they appear very thin. It's crucial for these individuals to seek professional help to manage their condition. In order to reduce the risk of weight gain, they attempt to lose as much weight as possible through intense physical exercise and dieting. Binge-eating is also common, whereby the individual eats excessively and vomits the contents, which we refer to as a type of purging behaviour or laxative misuse.

Those diagnosed with anorexia may exhibit the following symptoms:

• Menstrual periods stop
• Lethargy due to dehydration
• Weak and brittle nails and hair
• Muscle wasting
• Reflux and heartburn for those who vomit
• Depression

Bulimia

Those diagnosed with bulimia may alternate between intense dieting and restricting their amount of calories and binge eating on high-calorie, “forbidden” food types. Binge-eating involves excessively eating over a short duration of time and a loss of control over what is eaten and how quickly it’s consumed. This secretive activity, often done in isolation, is associated with shame and guilt, adding to the loneliness of those with bulimia.

The relentless preoccupation with thoughts about food, body shape, and weight that those with bulimia experience has a profound negative impact on their overall health and mental well-being. This mindset underscores the urgency of addressing bulimia and its effects.

Common signs of bulimia include the following:

• Persistent sore throat
• Tooth decay due to the erosion of tooth enamel
• Dizziness
• Dehydration

© 2026 Dr Adelbert Scholtz, Christian Counselling Psychologist.

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