Eating disorders are on the rise, especially among males and children, according to the National Eating Disorders Association. Although the statistics are significantly higher for women (as many as 23 million women battle eating disorders), approximately 1 million men are contending with anorexia or bulimia.
Divorce is a common factor among adults and kids suffering from eating disorders. For some adults, the desire to be thinner or more attractive can contribute to anorexia or bulimia. Others find comfort in food and engage in binge eating, which starts a cycle that’s difficult to interrupt. Kids, on the other hand, may turn to eating disorders as a way to deal with the pressure divorce creates, cope with domestic violence or to compensate for a lack of quality attachments with family members.
If you feel that you or your children are dealing with an eating disorder, ask your Chapel Hill divorce lawyer if he or she knows a local counselor or therapist who might be able to help.
Recognizing the Symptoms of Eating Disorders
Signs and symptoms of eating disorders vary. There are three major types of eating disorders: anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder. These disorders are all more common among women than men. However, people going through divorce are more susceptible than the general population, regardless of gender or age.
Symptoms of anorexia include:
• dramatic weight loss
• repeated comments about being “fat”
• denial that being underweight is a health problem
• excessive exercise
• refusal to eat in front of others or to eat at all
Symptoms of bulimia include:
• binge eating (eating large amounts of food quickly) followed by purging (vomiting or using laxatives)
• exercising more frequently than is normal
• repeated comments about being “fat”
• using gum, mints or mouthwash extremely frequently
Symptoms of binge eating include:
• hoarding food or hiding it
• avoiding eating in front of other people
• frequent dieting and exercise without weight loss
Since many of these symptoms are also associated with stress, particularly during divorce, it can be tough to spot an eating disorder. However, early intervention is critical to preserve health—so if you suspect that your loved one has an eating disorder, talk to your Chapel Hill divorce lawyer about finding a local counselor or therapist who can help intervene.
