Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are behavioral conditions characterized by a continuous disruption of eating behavior, frequently leading to a deficiency of physical and/or mental health (American Psychiatric Association, 2023). A variety of eating disorders exist within the DSM-V, such as Anorexia Nerviosa, Bulimia Nerviosa, Binge Eating Disorder, and Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID).
Anorexia Nervosa (AN)
Anorexia Nervosa is an eating disorder marked by restricted food intake leading to low body weight, usually accompanied by an intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted perception of one’s body. (American Psychiatric Association, 2023). This restrictive eating can lead to extreme malnourishment and possibly death. (American Psychiatric Association, 2023). In fact, Anorexia Nervosa has the highest mortality rate out of any psychiatric disorder. (American Psychiatric Association, 2023). People with Anorexia may attempt to control their weight through additional methods, such as excessive exercise and laxative use. (American Psychiatric Association, 2023).
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder is distinguished by exceedingly selective eating behavior that is not related to body image distortion, as opposed to with AN (Kennedy et al., 2002). Since in the past it was considered an infantile feeding disorder, ARFID has only recently been introduced to the DSM-V and there is a lack of research on its long-term outcomes. Those with ARFID tend to be malnourished, often suffering from electrolyte abnormalities, which can threaten the patient’s heart health. (Center for Discovery, 2023). In addition to being caused by a general lack of appetite or disinterest in food, ARFID is thought to possibly emerge from a discomfort with specific textures, colors, tastes, or smells in foods. Many people with the syndrome also struggle to eat at a regular pace, eating too quickly or too slowly, which can lead to pain, choking or vomiting (Kennedy et al., 2002). Negative eating experiences, such as these, can fuel heightened pre-existing fears about eating in general.
Binge Eating Disorder (BED)
Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is one of the eating disorders most recently acknowledged officially in the DSM-5. BED is defined by recurring periods of large food consumption, eating abnormally fast, and often continuing to eat until feeling uncomfortably full (American Psychiatric Association, 2023). The feeling of loss of control during binge eating episodes commonly engenders feelings of shame and self-loathing (American Psychiatric Association, 2023).
Bulimia Nervosa (BN)
Bulimia Nervosa is defined as binging uncontrollably followed by self-induced vomiting or other methods of purging (excessive exercise, abuse of laxatives and weight loss supplements, and fasting) in order to avoid gaining weight (American Psychiatric Association, 2023). BN is a potentially life-threatening disorder. (American Psychiatric Association, 2023).
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(Allure Magazine)
Camila Mendes
Camila Mendes is an American actress and singer. Mendes is best known for portraying Veronica Lodge on The CW teen drama series Riverdale, for which she won the Teen Choice Award in 2017. With two Brazilian parents, Camila grew up as a Latina in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Camila Mendes has shared that starring in Riverdale fueled her eating disorder. Seeing herself on the big screen heightened previous insecurities about her body, and she soon became afraid of eating carbs, according to a statement she gave to Palm Springs. Mendes’s restricted eating led to binge eating episodes followed by purging. (The Hollywood Reporter, 2023) It can be inferred that the star's ADHD, which she discussed in an interview with New York Magazine in 2022, contributes to these episodes: impulsivity, a symptom of ADHD, can be tied to her difficulty in regulating her eating. Mendes has shared how her nutritionist helped her overcome this cycle of binge eating and Bulimia Nervosa by reintroducing bread into her life. (Hollywood Reporter, 2023)
Mendes explains how she manages her ADHD (New York Magazine, 2022): after describing the stress she feels when everything seems to “be all over the place,” she says she developed a habit of being extra organized in her daily life as a result. In addition to using a color-coded Google Calendar, Mendes states she is happiest when she is her busiest and most productive self. Feeling a sense of magnified discomfort with regards to transitions is a symptom of ADHD, and Mendes follows a system of establishing a routine every time her situation changes. It seems Mendes has reallocated her need for control to her schedule, which is much healthier than focusing it on her diet.