What's eating you?

One loaf of bread, five bars of chocolate, a tub of ice cream or one carrot for each meal and water. Which one is you? If any one of the above sound the least bit like you, you might be suffering from eating disorders like bulimia, anorexia or binge eating. Commonly found in women, eating disorders manifest themselves during adolescence and if not checked, can carry on into adulthood.

Though anorexia and bulimia have different symptoms, the cause for both is often the same. The definition of beautiful and desirable is translated into being slim like a model. Often women who aren't achievers and are unaware of their good qualities and talent rely on their looks to attract attention. So they become excessively conscious about the way they look and seek constant approval from others. Low on self-esteem and extremely self-conscious, they turn to food for help and end up with eating disorders.

Bulimia, which is characterised by excessive eating followed by intentional purging, occurs among those who cannot control the urge to eat. Though they are concerned about their body weight and image, they are unable to restrict themselves and hence give in to the temptation to eat, eventually eating much more than required. The subsequent feeling of guilt induces the desire to vomit. Some may even rely on laxatives in order to pass a lot of stool so the food doesn't turn into fat.

Anorexia, on the other hand, is related to starvation techniques, where the patient embarks on a strict diet plan, counting every calorie going into the body, and eating much below the normal required intake. Another eating disorder that is often overlooked by most is binge eating, which is similar to bulimia but doesn't involve purging.

If you feel you might be heading towards an eating disorder, it is imperative that you visit a doctor and get your ideal body weight calculated. Says Divya Prasad, clinical psychologist consulting at Vimhans, "You must understand that it is normal for the body weight to fluctuate within the range of your ideal body weight."

Experts suggest eating in moderation and eating healthy along with regular exercise. For those suffering from an eating disorder, immediate medical help is required to find underlying depression and individual therapy like cognitive behaviour therapy is also recommended.