Eating Disorders

Eating Disorders
Anorexia nervosa is a complex psychological state characterized by the fear of being overweight. Oft en, patients’ perceptions are distorted to the extent that they believe they are overweight despite appearing emaciated to others. Without proper treatment, anorexia nervosa may be fatal.

Bulimia nervosa is another eating disorder that is characterized by recurrent (at least twice a week) episodes of binge eating, during which the patient consumes large amounts of food and feels unable to stop eating. Th is is followed by inappropriate compensatory eff ects to avoid weight gain, such as self-induced vomiting, laxative or diuretic abuse, vigorous exercise, or fasting.