Eating disorders are not just about food, weight, appearance or willpower but are serious and potentially life-threatening illnesses. Most eating disorders occur when a person carriesfalse beliefs about their appearance, body shape and weight, leading to marked changes in eating or exercise behaviours that interfere with their daily functioning. A person with an eating disorder can be underweight, overweight or fall within the healthy weight range. It is important to know the signs that indicate that a person has or is developing an eating disorder. These include the development of rigid patterns regarding food selection, preparation and eating, such as cutting food into small pieces and eating very slowly. Physical warnings signs are weight loss or weight fluctuations, swelling around the cheeks or jaw, vomiting and fainting. Psychological warning signs encompass extreme body dissatisfaction, preoccupation with food, body shape and weight and also depression, anxiety and/or irritability.

If you or someone you know are experiencing any of these symptoms, speak to a mental health professional. Our professionals are available to help you 24/7.

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Kuntrarju għal dak illi jaħsbu ħafna min-nies, l-eating disorders m’għandhomx biss x’jaqsmu mal-ikel u mal-apparenza. Dawn jistgħu jkunu ukoll ta’ detriment kbir għas-saħħa tal-individwu. L- eating disordersjiġumeta xi ħaddikollu ideat żbaljati dwaru nnifsu: dwar id-dehra u l-piż tiegħu, illi jwasslu għal bidliet drastiċi fl-ikel u fl-eżerċizzju li wieħed jagħmel. Persuna b’din it-tip ta’ diżordni tista’ twassal għal piż żejjed, kif ukoll telf ta’ piż b’mod eċċessiv, iżda il-kundizzjoni tista’ wkoll ma jkolliex effett fuq il-piż. Huwa importantili wieħed jagħraf x’jista’ jwassal sabiex persuna tesperjenza eating disorder: ġeneralment, aġir riġidu ta’ kif wieħed jagħżel u jipprepara l-ikel, kif ukoll ta’ kif jiekol, eżempju illi jiekol bil-mod ħafna jew illi l-persuna taqta’ l-ikel f’biċċiet żgħar ħafna.

Fiżikament, b’mod ġenerali jkun hemm differenzi radikali u kultant estremi fil-piż tal-persuna. Ikun hemm ukoll nefħa fil-wiċċ (madwar ix-xedaq), kif ukoll rimettar u ħass ħażinijat.

Psikoloġikament, is-sintomi jvarjaw bejn nuqqas ta’ sodisfazzjon bid-derha tal-persuna, ansjetà, inkwiet żejjed rigward l-ikel u id-dehra, u f’ċerta każi dipressjoni u irritabbilta’.

Jekk int jew xi ħadd li taf qed tesperjenzaw xi wħud minn dawn is-sintomi, kellem professjonist. Il-professjonisti tagħna qegħdin hawnhekk 24/7 biex jgħinuk.