NAMI Mercer County

Families Meeting the Challenge of Mental Illness

eating disorder

Feeding Frenzies

By

Angelina Villalva, NAMI Intern

In a world run on social media, itā€™s no surprise that we are all familiar with the issue of unattainable expectations. Itā€™s easy to compare our lives to the bright perfect faces we see on our screens, promoting workout routines, diet plans, a lifestyle coaching class, or a simple tip book on how to live our lives just as amazing as them. 

When we constantly are put in a state of comparison between us and the (seemingly) best of the best, itā€™s easy to fall into a pit of insecurity and obsession with perfectionism. This can result in a multitude of mental health issues, especially eating disorders (ED). If you arenā€™t already caught up on what an eating disorder is or the types of eating disorders that exist, you can read up all about it in Bella Santulliā€™s blog post, Dorian Grayā€™s Mirror.Ā 

Although eating disorders are, unfortunately, very common amongst adolescents and teenagers, something that is less commonly known is the subclass of eating disorders known as feeding disorders (FD). These are generally less talked about and less known, but are relatively common, with 1 in 4 children reported to have an FD and as many as 8 of every 10 disabled children having an FD. 

So to begin, what exactly is the difference between an eating disorder and a feeding disorder? There is a small difference in the association of age between the two, with EDs commonly linked to teens and adults while FDs are linked to infants and children (although both can occur at any age). However, the main difference between an ED and an FD lies in its psychology.Ā 

To elaborate, eating disorders stem from issues of body dysmorphia. Behaviors such as self-induced vomiting or laxative abuse are in place as a coping mechanism gone wrong for the main issue, which lies in perception. Meanwhile, feeding disorders do not have this same issue. Feeding disorders are the direct result of food preferences and/or perceived intolerances of the actual food itself, not the effects on the body or bodily image. 

Feeding disorders are especially dangerous for children and infants. An FD may result in a child completely avoiding entire food groups, textures, or liquids necessary to develop properly which can lead to an increased risk for compromised physical and cognitive development. 

Some common causes of FDs are: 

  • Medical conditions (e.g., food allergies)Ā 
  • Anatomical or structural abnormalities (e.g., cleft palate, gastrointestinal motility disorder, oral motor dysfunction)Ā 
  • Reinforcement of inappropriate behavior
  • Behavior management disorders
  • Delayed exposure to a variety of foods
  • Parent-child conflict

The two most well-known types of feeding disorders are Pica and Rumination Syndrome. 

Pica disorder is when an individual compulsively eats things that arenā€™t food (or have any nutritional value) on purpose. This may not always be harmful depending on the substance, but can prove to be dangerous should the ingested thing be toxic or cause further health issues (such as teeth damage). Pica often affects young children under 6, pregnant women, or people with mental health conditions such as ASD or schizophrenia. Some common non-food items eaten include: 

  • Chalk
  • Charcoal
  • Clay, dirt, or soil
  • Eggshells
  • Hair, string, thread
  • Ice
  • Paint chips
  • Paper
  • Pebbles
  • Pet food
  • SoapĀ 

Pica in pregnant women will usually go away on its own. Children will also usually grow out of pica, but it may be harder to do so for children with intellectual disabilities. The main form of treatment for those struggling is therapy, with medications typically focused for health related issues that have occurred from pica. 

Rumination syndrome is when an individual repeatedly regurgitates undigested or partially digested food. That regurgitated food is then chewed again and swallowed or spit out. People with rumination syndrome donā€™t purposely try to regurgitate their food, it happens without any effort and typically occurs at every meal. Rumination syndrome can lead to malnutrition, worn out teeth, bad breath, and social isolation. Similar to pica, rumination syndrome is most commonly treated by therapy. 

People who suffer from feeding disorders commonly experience feelings of shame and embarrassment. This can cause individuals to feel isolated and prevent them from getting the support that they need. Should you or anyone you know have similar signs and symptoms of feeding disorders, remember to treat it with grace. As always, stay kind, and remember you are loved and will be supported! 

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