An eating disorder is a compulsion to eat, or avoid eating, that negatively affects both your physical and mental health. Eating disorders are all encompassing and affect every part of your life. Although many people associate eating disorders with teenage girls, these serious and often life-threatening disorders affect women in their 30's, 40's, 50's and beyond. Eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating.
Check out these related EmpowHER links:
Eating Disorders main information page
Eating Disorders Guide: Diane Porter
Binge Eating Disorder main page
HERArticle: Eating Disorders and Relapsing, The Setting Sun, Roll Credits
HERArticle: Is Eating Too Healthy an Eating Disorder?
HERArticle: Mom Uses Family Support for Treatment of Anorexia, Bulimia
For more information on this topic:
“Individuals with eating disorders and the use of online support groups as a form of social support.” McCormack, A., Comput Inform Nurs., Jan-Feb 2010.
“The efficacy of self-help group treatment and therapist-led group treatment for binge eating disorder.” Peterson, C. B., et al., Am J Psychiatry, Nov 2009.
“The feeling of being trapped in and ashamed of one’s own body: A qualitative study of women who suffer from eating disorders.” Rotveit K., et al, Int J Ment Health Nurs., Apr 2009.
“Special online consulting for patients with eating disorders and their relatives: analysis of user characteristics and email content.” Grunwald, M. and Wesemann D., Cyberpsychol Behav, Feb 2007.