The number of people suffering from an eating disorder was estimated to be around 26000 in Alaska in 2012. This number is on the rise, and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual 5 (DSM5) has the following eating disorders listed: Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder, Avoidant/Restrictive food intake disorder and other specified disorders.
There is no single root cause of an eating disorder, which makes it complex to treat. There are observable symptoms of eating disorders that can be assessed in context, such as sudden interest in a restrictive diet, or intense exercise.
The rise of eating disorders today should not be overlooked, as many who are suffering from eating disorders do not receive an accurate diagnosis due to negligence of the mental health professionals.
Eating disorders are often comorbid with depression, anxiety problems and PTSD, which calls for a multi-disciplinary treatment plan. Thus, joint efforts between specialists is needed to provide the best treatment to the patient.
Among all psychological disorders, patients suffering from eating disorders have the highest mortality rate due to malnutrition or suicide. This can be prevented by the provision of appropriate treatments to the patients.
Category(s):Eating Disorders
Source material from Anchorage Daily News
