This guide will help you answer the NCFE CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Awareness of Mental Health Problems Unit 1.2 Describe possible types of eating disorders.
As a support worker, it’s crucial to understand the different types of eating disorders. This knowledge can help you provide better support to individuals suffering from these conditions.
Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that affect a person’s relationship with food. They aren’t just about food, though; they often originate from emotional and psychological issues.
Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia nervosa is a type of eating disorder where individuals have an intense fear of gaining weight. They usually restrict their food intake severely. This leads to a very low body weight. People with anorexia often see themselves as overweight, even if they are underweight.
Key Features:
- Extreme fear of gaining weight.
- Distorted body image.
- Excessive exercise.
- Refusing to eat.
- Withdrawal from social activities.
Anorexia can cause severe medical issues, such as organ failure, heart problems, and bone loss. Mental health issues like depression and anxiety are also common.
Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia nervosa involves cycles of binge eating followed by purging. Purging can include vomiting, excessive exercise, or the misuse of laxatives. People with bulimia may maintain a normal weight, which can make it harder to detect.
Key Features:
- Episodes of overeating (binging).
- Compensatory behaviours like vomiting or excessive exercise (purging).
- Secretive eating behaviours.
- Feelings of shame or guilt after eating.
- Swollen cheeks or jaw.
This disorder can lead to severe complications like gastrointestinal problems, electrolyte imbalances, and heart issues.
Binge Eating Disorder
Binge eating disorder involves eating large amounts of food in a short period. Unlike bulimia, there’s no attempt to purge. People with this disorder often feel a lack of control over their eating.
Key Features:
- Consuming large amounts of food quickly.
- Eating even when not hungry.
- Eating alone due to embarrassment.
- Feeling disgusted, depressed, or guilty after overeating.
- Frequent dieting without success.
Binge eating disorder can lead to obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and other health problems. It can also cause severe emotional distress.
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)
ARFID is characterised by an aversion to eating certain foods, leading to limited food intake. This isn’t about a fear of gaining weight but rather an avoidance of food due to sensory issues or past negative experiences with food.
Key Features:
- Lack of interest in food.
- Avoidance of food with certain textures, colours, or smells.
- Fear of choking or vomiting.
- Nutritional deficiencies due to restricted diet.
- Failure to gain weight.
ARFID can lead to severe malnutrition and growth delays in children. It may also impact social interactions.
Orthorexia
Orthorexia is an obsession with eating foods one considers healthy. This isn’t just a preference for healthy eating but can become so extreme it disrupts daily life.
Key Features:
- Obsessive focus on eating ‘pure’ or ‘clean’ foods.
- Avoiding foods perceived as unhealthy.
- Excessive time spent thinking about food and planning meals.
- Severe distress when “rules” are broken.
- Nutritional deficiencies.
Orthorexia isn’t currently classified as an official eating disorder but can cause similar distress and impairment as other eating disorders.
Pica
Pica involves eating items that are not food. This might include dirt, chalk, soap, or hair. It’s more common in children and people with developmental disabilities.
Key Features:
- Persistent eating of non-food items for at least one month.
- Eating behaviours inappropriate for the individual’s developmental level.
- The behaviour is not part of a culturally supported practice.
Pica can lead to severe health consequences like poisoning, infections, and digestive blockages.
Rumination Disorder
Rumination disorder involves regurgitating food after eating, re-chewing it, and then swallowing or spitting it out. This is not due to a medical condition but rather a behavioural issue.
Key Features:
- Repeatedly bringing up food.
- A kind of effortless regurgitation.
- Food may be re-chewed and then swallowed again or spit out.
- Malnutrition and weight loss can occur.
This disorder can lead to severe nutritional deficiencies and social issues due to the behaviour’s visible nature.
Summary
Understanding these various types of eating disorders helps you support those in your care effectively. Each disorder has unique features and health impacts that require specific attention. By identifying the signs and understanding the complications, you can provide better support and encourage those in need to seek professional help. Remember, early intervention can make a significant difference in recovery outcomes.
Example answers for unit 1.2 Describe possible types of eating disorders
Example 1
As a support worker, I understand that Anorexia Nervosa is a severe eating disorder. Individuals with anorexia have an intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted body image. They might restrict their food intake severely, exercise excessively, or completely refuse to eat. They often withdraw from social activities to avoid situations where they have to eat. This condition can lead to serious health issues like organ failure, heart problems, and even bone loss. It is important to support individuals with anorexia by encouraging them to seek medical and psychological help.
Example 2
Bulimia Nervosa is another type of eating disorder. People with bulimia go through cycles of binge eating followed by purging. They might vomit, misuse laxatives, or engage in excessive exercise to get rid of the calories consumed. Bulimia is often hidden because individuals maintain a normal weight. They might eat secretly and feel ashamed or guilty after eating. This disorder can cause severe health problems, including gastrointestinal issues and heart complications. As a support worker, I can help by providing a non-judgmental ear and encouraging them to seek professional treatment.
Example 3
Binge Eating Disorder involves consuming large amounts of food in a short time. Unlike bulimia, there is no purging involved in binge eating. Individuals may feel a lack of control over their eating and often eat even when they aren’t hungry. They typically feel disgusted, depressed, or guilty after overeating. Frequent dieting without success is common among those with this disorder. The condition can lead to obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure. My role as a support worker is to encourage healthy eating habits and support emotional well-being.
Example 4
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is characterised by an aversion to certain foods, sometimes due to sensory issues or past negative experiences. People with ARFID may avoid foods with specific textures, colours, or smells. They might have a lack of interest in food altogether, leading to nutritional deficiencies and failure to gain weight. This disorder can affect social interactions, especially in situations involving food. I aim to support individuals with ARFID by understanding their specific food aversions and helping them find manageable ways to meet their nutritional needs.
Example 5
Orthorexia is an obsession with eating foods considered healthy but isn’t recognised as an official eating disorder. People with orthorexia have an extreme focus on eating pure or clean foods, which can interfere with daily life. They might avoid entire food groups and feel severe distress when they can’t adhere to their dietary rules. This obsession can lead to nutritional deficiencies. My role involves helping individuals find a balanced approach to healthy eating and encouraging them to consult with nutrition and mental health professionals to address their concerns.
Example 6
Pica is an eating disorder where individuals eat non-food items like dirt, chalk, or soap. This behaviour is inappropriate for their developmental level and isn’t part of any cultural practice. Pica is more common in children and people with developmental disabilities. It can lead to health problems such as poisoning, infections, and digestive blockages. As a support worker, I can help by monitoring the person’s eating habits, ensuring their environment is safe, and encouraging medical evaluation to address any underlying nutritional deficiencies or behavioural issues.
