Subthreshold Eating Disorders
Posted on: March 6th, 2013
So many of us have heard of common eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia and binge eating. Anorexia is characterized by a fear of gaining weight leading to a general unwillingness to eat. Bulimia involves binging on food and then purging it, while people that binge-eat in general tend to eat rapidly and continue even after they are full.
But more often, individuals display the subtle signs of “subthreshold” eating disorders. In these cases, many of the symptoms of the eating disorder are present, but not as severe. The eating behavior is abnormal and may exhibit similar traits to anorexia, bulimia or binge eating, but the symptoms usually lack the consistency or duration of the full condition. Yet researchers have determined there is little value in making any distinction. Why? The consequences of the subthreshold behavior really do not vary much from the repercussions of the actual conditions themselves.
It is important to recognize the symptoms and danger of subthreshold eating disorders. The lesser state of the subthreshold condition only masks the severity of the eating disorder itself. Besides the emotional impact, an eating disorder can have profound physical effects on the body. If you are concerned that someone you know has either an eating disorder or subthreshold eating disorder, please encourage him or her to seek help. Trust your instinct and begin the conversation.
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