Eating disorder

An eating disorder is a mental illness in which a person eats in a way which disturbs their physical health. Overeating is the most common and obvious disorder, and was in the past often attributed to a lack of self-control. Psychologists prefer to class the other syndromes as "mental disorders", going by the mental health model that views the syndrome as caused by something largely outside human will. Seen this way, these disorders are said to "interfere" with normal food consumption and "lead" to serious health problems. Patients diagnosed with bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa have a mortality rate of between 5% and 12% per decade (see reference to Agras 2004 in the journal listings below) which is a higher mortality rate than any other mental illness. Among the world's leaders in the treatment of eating disorders is Harry A. Brandt, MD.

External links

• Eating Disorders: Counseling Issues
• Eating Disorder FAQs
• Eating Disorders
• Less-well-known eating disorders
• Consequences of eating disorders
• National Institute of Mental Health: Eating Disorders: A detailed booklet that describes symptoms, causes, and treatments, with information on getting help and coping.
• Eating Disorders and Anorexia Nervosa - original review articles