Eating Disorder Awareness Week- Types and Signs of Eating Disorders in Disabled Children

Mary_Scope

Eating Disorder Awareness Week - Part One
Eating Disorder Awareness Week - Part Three

As part of this weeks focus being Eating Disorder Awareness week, this post will look at some of the types of eating disorders, their traits and how to recognize signs of eating disorders in disabled children.

Types of Eating Disorders

Anorexia Nervosa

• Restricting food intake which ultimately leads to significantly low body weight.
  
• Intense fear of gaining weight or becoming “fat”.
  
• Distorted body image.

Bulimia Nervosa

• Repeated episodes of binge eating that are followed by compensatory behaviours to stop gaining weight such as self-induced vomiting, fasting, or excessive exercise etc.
  
• Self-esteem and confidence is damaged by the excessive focus on body weight and shape.

Binge Eating Disorder (BED)

• Recurrent episodes of eating large amounts of food in a short period of time (binge eating).
  
• Feelings of lack of control during the binge.
  
• Feelings of distress and shame after binge eating.
  
• Unlike bulimia nervosa, there are no regular compensatory behaviours to stop weight gain.

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)

• Avoidance or restriction of food intake which leads to significant weight loss, nutritional deficiency or oral nutritional supplements.
  
• Avoidance or restriction of food is not predominantly driven by worries about body shape or weight – unlike other eating disorders.
  
• This disorder can be caused by things like sensory sensitivities, or negative experiences with food rather than negative body image.
  
• Can be common in autistic children or children with high anxiety.

Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED)

• Eating disorders that cause significant distress (both mentally and physically) but do not meet the full criteria for any of the above disorders.
  
• An example of OSFED is atypical anorexia nervosa which is when persons weight is within or above the normal range but they meet the rest of the criteria.

Signs of an Eating Disorder
Recognizing eating disorders in disabled children can be challenging due to sensory, communication and/or physical reasons but some of the signs are..

Changes in Eating Patterns

• Sudden or major changes in food intake.
  
• Refusal to eat certain foods or food groups.
• Secret eating
  
• Increased pickiness or selective eating beyond typical for your child’s disability related behaviours.
  
• Hiding or hoarding food.
  
• Unusual behaviours around meal times or around food.

Physical Symptoms

• Digestive problems such as constipation and stomach aches.
  
• Fatigue or weakness.
  
• Fainting or dizziness.
  
• Changes in hair and/or skin.

Changes in Weight or Growth

• Unexplained weight loss or gain.
• Not meeting or maintaining expected growth patterns.

Emotional and Behavioural Changes

• 
  Increased anxiety or distress around mealtimes.
• Obsession with food, weight and/or body shape.
  
• Social isolation and/or withdrawal.
  
• Changes in mood or increased irritability.
  
• More negative self talk and loss of self esteem and confidence.

If you're concerned about your disabled child's eating habits, professional help is so important. I will be sharing information on how to access support and what to do if you suspect an eating disorder in the coming days.

What advice would you give to other parents who are worried about their child's eating? Have you experienced similar challenges with your child? What helped you?

Jane315STARX

As Someone who suffered with both Anorexia and bulimia for over 30 years.I would say it's extremely important for anyone who has a child with an eating Disorder ( or thinks they do).To firstly let them know how much you love and care for them.You might think they know already ( but say those words literally.Never say "you look WELL".As well represents Fat to many people with eating disorders.Most children and indeed adults with eating disorders are trying to control a part of their lives and this unfortunately although it feels like they control it,it infact ends up controlling them.Its practically impossible to deal with this on your own.Help from a gp is the first step.Dont force the child to eat but ask if you meet in the middle at options they are willing to eat.

Mary_Scope

Thank you for sharing your personal experience and giving some great tips to parents especially the comment about "looking well" @Jane315STARX. You've hit the nail on the head with the eating disorders originating from the need to control something but ultimately they control you. The tables turn so quick!!

How are you doing now? Did you find any types of support or help beneficial to your recovery?

Jane315STARX

I actually recovered in a very unconventional way by actually being in a very controlling relationship.However in the earlier years I did find therapy helpful on a one to one as aposed to being an inpatient as sometimes you actually feel the need to compete with other people/children to be the thinnest.Everyone is different though.But I think as a child it may be easier speaking to someone outside of what is directly going on.Sometimes family may not appreciate that someone could understand their child like they do but clearly a different approach and fresh ears are desperately needed and the earlier the intervention the better

Jane315STARX

I was treated by Dr Janet Treasure at The Mausdsley Hospital many years ago and offered an impatient place at the Bethlem but turned that down and went on an outpatients basis

MsR

Good to see this thread. I am diagnosed with anorexia and have had a eating disorder since 14. I am am adult now. I have been to the Bethlem two times as an inpatient. I have also been to other units as well. I was in hospital for about three years at one point. I was treated by Janet Treasure on both occasions as an inpatient. I am doing better than with that today. After some few rocky years brought on by COVID I am seeing some more light in my life.

I think early intervention is so important. I wrote previously for eating disorder awareness week and blogged about it. It touched also about early intervention and not turning a blind eye to eating disorder in the early stages and letting it become worse. This is so important and those few years early on when I didn't seek rapid help is may be part of the reason why my anorexia turned into a chronic course. Keep on fighting.