Eating Disorders with Aging Adults

Living with Bulimia, Anorexia and other related Disorders

Although many disregard disordered eating as a serious issue for older adults, its prevalence is only growing; however, it can be difficult to truly understand the presence of adult eating disorders, as often these “newly emerging cases,” are the fruition of suffering since adolescence. It is quite possible that an older patient has been suffering with their eating disorder upwards of 30 year, which makes it even more difficult to treat. Older patients (mostly women) often become so accustomed to their disordered habit that they begin to define themselves by their condition. Regardless of age, there are typically three diagnoses given to patients: bulimia, anorexia, and other related disorders. In the case of older adults, it is likely that the patient has either undergone unsuccessful treatment in the past, experienced a relapse of a disorder thought to have been quelled, or has newly developed their condition. While the latter is the least prevalent occurrence, it is important that patients seek properly trained physicians to thoroughly evaluate their history, as they may have been suffering for a majority of their life without an official eating disorder diagnosis. 

Treating an Eating Disorder

It is important to note that eating disorders are never about weight, appearance, food, etc. Disordered eating can be an attempt to control over something tangible while the afflicted struggles to cope with an outside circumstance. While the motivations for disordered eating are similar across all age groups, triggers differ. Younger women often develop eating disorders during transitional periods, such as the transition from highschool to college. As an adolescent transcends to adulthood, it is not uncommon for them to adopt this coping mechanism again when faced with challenges more relevant to their stage of life. Older women deal with a greater degree of loss, grief, and stress associated with retirement, chronic illness, and facing mortality among other things. Although it can be difficult to diagnose adults with eating disorders, it is important that family members take notice of symptoms that include but are not limited to: dramatic weight fluctuations, abnormal behaviors while eating (going to the restroom immediately after, preferring to eat alone, etc.) heightened sensitivity to the cold, and increased hair loss. It is also common for eating disorders to manifest themselves in tandem with depression and anxiety disorders. Older adults in your family can take comfort knowing that Dr. Philias is specially trained to treat adults with these concerning symptoms. Dr. Philias also works with many concierge primary care physicians and gynecologists throughout Palm Beach County to collaborate and work with their patients with eating disorders.

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