Eating Disorders: What You Need to Know

Anorexia Nervosa

According to Merryl Bear, Director of the National Eating Disorder Information Centre, eating disorders have a very high mortality rate.The Central Region Eating Disorder Service estimates the mortality rate at 20 percent with a suicide rate that is 32 times higher than that of the general population. Learn more about how you can spot an eating disorder and intervene in time to save your loved one’s life.

Like most eating disorders, anorexia manifests itself in more ways than one. Psychological, emotional and physical changes are likely to occur when someone is suffering. According to Bear, some of the major warning signs of this disease include constant dieting, paying abnormally close attention to calorie intake, avoiding eating meals in public and avoiding social events that may involve food, such as lunches or dinners. Individuals suffering from anorexia nervosa often isolate themselves from their friends and family, as well.