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An eating disorder is a mental illness, i.e., a medical condition that disrupts a person’s thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others, and daily functioning. Just as diabetes is a disorder of the pancreas, mental illnesses are medical conditions that often result in a diminished capacity for coping with the ordinary demands of life. Mental illnesses can affect persons of any age, race, religion, or income. Mental illnesses are not the result of personal weakness, lack of character, or poor upbringing. Mental illnesses are treatable.
Similar to other mental illnesses, eating disorders are biologically based brain disorders. They cannot be overcome through "will power" and are not related to a person's "character" or intelligence. Early intervention, comprehensive treatment and continuum of care is essential and combined with full weight and nutritional restoration and abstinence from compensatory behaviors is associated with best prognosis. Source. Keywords: define Mental illness, definition Mental illness, definition of Mental illness, meaning Mental illness, dictionary Mental illness, what is Mental illness If you came to the F.E.A.S.T. Eating Disorders Glossary from a page on the F.E.A.S.T site, click the "go back" button in your internet browser to return to that page; if not, we welcome you to visit the FEAST home page for a wealth of information on evidence-based treatment for eating disorders, support for parents and families, the latest eating disorders research, a forum for parents and caregivers, useful books, etc. |
Why an ED glossary? This comprehensive glossary has been created to give parents a quick reference tool that explains, in simple lay language, the terms used in the research, management and treatment of eating disorders. It is designed to empower parents by helping them understand a very complex range of illnesses in order to converse with their treatment providers, ask the right questions, understand the answers, and ultimately plan and execute the most effective course of treatment. Many of the terms are broad and may be employed in other areas of medicine or mental health; the definitions provided here apply specifically to their meaning within the context of eating disorders. Additional source references are provided for those wishing to delve deeper. The EATING DISORDERS GLOSSARY is researched, written and maintained by F.E.A.S.T - Families Empowered and Supporting Treatment of Eating Disorders, an international non-profit organization. The definitions and explanations provided here have been edited with the help of members of FEAST's Professional Advisory Panel. The definitions are designed to inform and explain the terms factually according to the best evidence available. They do not seek to advise you on any course of treatment; that should remain the domain of your treatment providers. To protect the quality of information, the glossary cannot be edited by readers. However, we openly solicit comments, corrections or modifications on existing material as well as your suggestions for additional terms on the vast subject of eating disorders. Send your suggestions and comments to [email protected].
About F.E.A.S.T. F.E.A.S.T. -- Families Empowered and Supporting Treatment of Eating disorders -- is an international organization of and for parents and caregivers. A non-profit organization founded in 2008, F.E.A.S.T.'s mission is to help loved ones recover from eating disorders by providing information and mutual support, promoting evidence-based treatment, and advocating for research and education to reduce the suffering associated with eating disorders. The organization is run by a board of directors, almost all of whom are parents of sufferers, and it is guided by a Professional Advisory Panel of eating disorders experts from the United States, France, United Kingdom and Australia.F.E.A.S.T.'s founding principles:
We welcome you to visit F.E.A.S.T., and perhaps even join us in our mission. |
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