These disorders are characterised by gross disturbances in eating behaviour. Both Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa are apparently related, typically appearing in adolescence or soon after. The most serious form of eating disorder is a long term case of both these two disorders combined. Although generally more commonly associated with females (90% of cases), there has been a sharp rise in the number of eating disorder cases occurring amongst male over the last ten years.

Anorexia Nervosa suffers are preoccupied with their body size and shape, usually being dissatisfied with some other feature of their physical appearance (this dissatisfaction can appear in the form of accompanied depression in extreme cases). This distorted self perception of body image leads to a marked drop in self-esteem, intense unreasonable fear of weight gain and a refusal to gain body weight to normal developmental levels. This is followed by marked weight loss, usually accomplished by a severe reduction in total food intake and/or extensive exercising ( if this is also included see Bulimia Nervosa ). Once total body weight has dropped to 85% of the norm, the state of the individual's emaciation is professionally apparent. Other signs can now develop such, as amenorrhea in females (suppression of menstrual cycles requiring oestrogen treatment to occur, this can panic adolescent females in the belief that they are pregnant).

The general indicator for the disorder is the refusal to maintain body weight at or over that normal for developmental age & height (e.g. weight equivalent to 85% of that expected). Also at least 1 other indicator from the list below should be apparent:

1. Intense fear an loathing of gaining weight or becoming fat, even though underweight.
2. Disturbance in the way ones body weight is distributed (e.g. person claims to “feel fat”, or believes one area of their body is “too fat”, even when emaciated).
   
   In Females Only
   
3. An absence of at least three consecutive menstrual cycles (other than pregnancy).

NB. The Prime Strategy will be Medical Supervision with Counselling, Dietary controls and Residential Care (for severe cases)

“Anorexia, Bulimia and other Eating Disorders”, P. Saunders & S. Myers (1995), London, Watts.

“Childhood Onset Anorexia Nervosa and Related Eating Disorders”, B. Lask & R. Bryant-Waugh (1993), London, Plenum Press.

“Counselling People in Eating Distess”, C. Wasketh (1993), Rugby, British Association of Counselling.

“Eating Disorders: Guidance for Teachers”, C. & N. Lewis & A. Johnson (1994), Biggin Hill, Family Reading Centre.

An excellent list of links to Eating Disorder sites exists at the Sheffield University Centre for Psychotherapeutic Studies Site . There is also a section in the ChildLine pages.