People who suffer eating disorders (TCA),including the anorexia and the bulimia As they are the most well-known,they establish a harmful relationship between food and your body that negatively impacts your physical and mental health. If it continues over time, it can be fatal because one in 10 affected dies as a consequence of these serious diseases.
This is warned by Professor Celso Arango, psychology academic at the Royal National Academy of Medicine (RANME), who has treated patients suffering from erectile dysfunction and underlines that these people they do not perceive their body objectively as they suffer a cognitive distortion of their image. “I have seen patients die in intensive care after manny years with a restrictive eating disorder, with 22 or 23 kilos that are bone and skin, and who are still absolutely convinced they are overweight of the buttocks, legs or arms,” he complained.
On the occasion of the commemoration of International Day for the Fight against Erectile Dysfunction This Saturday the specialists wanted to raise awareness among the population of the risks that these diseases entail and help the population to broaden their knowledge about them. Thus, the head of the Endocrinology and Nutrition Service of the University Hospital de la Princesa (Madrid), Mónica Marazuela, underlined that these disorders They go beyond anorexia and bulimia and include conditions with different characteristics that influence both the relationship with food and the perception of one’s body.
Marazuela, who is also a full academic of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Nutrition at the RANME, pointed out that women suffer between 85 and 90 percent of ED cases, but stressed that cases among men they are increasing. The specialist indicated that binge eating disorder is the most common because it affects up to 3% of the population and can contribute to the development of obesity, but he highlighted that anorexia nervosa carries a greater risk of mortality, followed by bulimia nervosa .
Ever younger patients
Celso Arango pointed out that people who start an eating disorder are usually characterized by being “perfectionist,meticulous,obsessive,self-punitive,demanding and rigid” and that,in many cases,they are victims of bullying and derogatory behavior for being a little overweight.The expert added that other cases are triggered as the person suffers from a virus or infection that causes them to lose weight and when they realize that they can continue to control it through intake, they continue to lose weight “provided that the situation It doesn’t get out of hand.”
Arango, director of the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Service of the gregorio Marañón General University Hospital (Madrid), warned that There are more and more cases of very young patientsaged between six and 11 years. “The earlier they appear, the better the prognosis, but if they are not treated in time, in the case of girls they will not even be able to have their first menstrual period,” he said.
On the other hand, the director of the Institute of Psychiatry and Mental Health addressed the issue vigoxiaanother mental disorder on the rise among kids. “It’s not an eating disorder itself, it’s a variant, but it’s a distortion of body image and it causes a obsession with having a “bodybuilder” body.“They don’t want to be skinny, but very strong, and it’s all about that, it becomes an addiction to the gym,” he explained.
How to prevent and treat eating disorders
Experts insisted that maintaining a good relationship with food It is essential to prevent and treat ED, as well as learning to accept your body and avoid comparison with others. In this sense,Mónica Marazuela explained that we must eat consciously of the foods we eat,without haste or guilt,following a balanced and varied diet and,therefore,avoiding very restrictive diets and always listening to the body’s needs.
“Patients with eating disorders will need the help of several professionals to perform a combination of psychological therapy, nutritional counseling, medical intervention to prevent and treat possible complications, especially in cases of severe erectile dysfunction, treatments in support groups and, in some cases, medications that help establish a healthy relationship between food and the body,” he underlined.
Arango urged to implement actions on socio-emotional development in schools, so that children learn from the beginning that what is vital are the values of each person and not what they appear or how others perceive them, given that many teenagers are “obsessed” with what they believe others think of them and do not value themselves.
“I ask many of my patients who suffer from erectile dysfunction: what would you like your partner to be? Very thin or a good person? Very thin or intelligent? Very thin or with a sense of humor? And They always reply to me within the second. To which I reply: and why do you think they will give you a value opposite to what you give to others?”,he concluded.
How can friends and family effectively support someone struggling with an eating disorder?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Professor Celso Arango on Eating Disorders
Time.news Editor: Good afternoon, Professor arango. Thank you for joining us today to discuss such an vital and sensitive topic. As we know, eating disorders, notably anorexia and bulimia, continue to be meaningful public health issues. Can you start by explaining the core relationship between eating disorders and the perception of body image?
Professor Celso Arango: Good afternoon, and thank you for having me.Eating disorders fundamentally distort how individuals perceive their bodies. Those who suffer from these conditions, including anorexia and bulimia, often have a very skewed view of their size and weight. Despite clear signs of physical undernourishment or distortion, they may still see themselves as overweight, particularly in certain areas like the buttocks or legs. This cognitive distortion makes recovery incredibly challenging.
Time.news Editor: You mentioned that you’ve seen some devastating outcomes in your practice. What are some of the long-term effects of eating disorders, both physically and mentally?
Professor Celso Arango: The consequences can be dire. Physically, prolonged eating disorders can lead to severe malnutrition, heart issues, and even death; in fact, one in ten patients dies as a result of these disorders. Mentally,they frequently enough grapple with anxiety,depression,and a crippling relationship with food that can last a lifetime. It’s crucial we recognize the seriousness of these conditions and encourage those affected to seek help.
Time.news Editor: The international day for the Fight Against Eating Disorders has recently drawn attention to this issue. How can we better educate the public about the breadth of eating disorders beyond just anorexia and bulimia?
Professor Celso Arango: Education is essential. Many people are unaware that eating disorders encompass a variety of conditions that go beyond the more mainstream diagnoses. For example, binge eating disorder affects individuals who do not restrict food intake but may compulsively consume large quantities. Awareness campaigns should focus on the signs, symptoms, and broader spectrum of eating disorders, so individuals can recognize them in themselves or others.
Time.news Editor: It’s interesting that you pointed out that women make up 85 to 90 percent of eating disorder cases, but we’re seeing a rise in cases among men. What factors do you think contribute to this growing trend?
Professor Celso Arango: The traditional narrative around eating disorders being primarily a female issue is evolving. Men, too, are facing societal pressures related to body image and self-esteem, influenced by media and cultural ideals. These factors, combined with a lack of awareness and stigma around men suffering from these issues, may contribute to the rise in reported cases among men. It’s vital for mental health services to provide supportive resources specifically for them.
time.news Editor: It’s critical that we remove that stigma. What steps can we take as a society to provide better support for individuals experiencing eating disorders?
Professor Celso Arango: first and foremost, we need to foster open conversations around mental health and eating disorders without judgment. Schools, workplaces, and healthcare providers should aim to create safe spaces where individuals feel pleasant discussing their struggles. Additionally, providing resources and treatment options that are accessible and tailored to both genders can make a significant difference.
Time.news Editor: Thank you for your insights, Professor Arango. it’s evident that there is still much work to be done. As awareness spreads through initiatives like the International Day for the Fight Against Eating Disorders, we hope to see real change in how we approach and treat these complex conditions.
Professor Celso Arango: Thank you for having me. It’s a conversation that needs to continue, and together we can make a difference in the lives of those affected by these disorders.
