© as of 4/9/01 May be used with permission from the author Anneliese Garrison, RN

Do Nurses Eat Their Young?

Points To Ponder: Do You Have A Eating Disorder?

Eating disorders have many causes. They may be triggered by stressful life events including a loss or trauma, relationship difficulties, physical illness or a life change such as marriage or pregnancy. In my experience, nursing seems to have a predisposition to eating disorders (both metaphorically and in actuality) due to the stressors and demands placed on the nature of the job.

Acknowledging you have an eating problem is difficult. Most people deny it and few realize they have any signs of an eating disorder at all.

In the table that follows, I have put together some clinical signs and symptoms of a true clinical disorder and compared them metaphorically to eating disorders in nursing. I attempt to answer the question, Why do nurses eat their young?

 

Anorexia Nervosa

  1. rapid weight loss

  2. preoccupation with food and calories

  3. ritualized eating and food preparation

  4. excessive concern with body shape and weight

    5.  

Anorexia Nervosa in Nursing

  1. Do you find no one wants to work with you?
  2. Are you constantly preoccupied with how your coworker does her/his job?
  3. Are you so ritualistic in your style of nursing that it is your way or no way?
  4. Are you constantly worried about how you will look to others and on paper?

 

 

Bulimia Nervosa

  1. fear of loss of control over eating


  2. consuming large amounts of food at one time (bingeing)
  3. feelings of shame and secrecy concerning bulimic behaviors


  4. abuse of laxatives, diuretics or diet pills

     

     

Bulimia Nervosa in Nursing

  1. When working with a new nurse, do you feel a loss of control over your job assignment?
  2. Do you talk negatively about everyone?
  3. Do you feel that your behavior is wrong but continue to do so anyway because this is who you are?
  4. Don’t use your partner or the new nurse to make yourself look good!

 

 

 

 

Binge Eating Disorder

  1. fear of loss of control over eating
  2. bingeing
  1. feelings of disgust
  1. poor self-esteem

 

Binge Eating Disorder In Nursing

  1. Loss of control when working with others.
  2. No one can do anything right.
  3. You dislike your coworker/new nurse.
  4. You always make yourself the hero.


Atypical Eating Disorders

  1. fear of swallowing or choking

    2.  

     

  2. unexplained vomiting or weight loss
  3. eating rituals pica (eating non-nutritive substances)
  4. rumination (regurgitation and re-chewing of food)

 

Atypical Eating Disorders In Nursing

  1. Your don't want to work with a new employee because you are afraid you will not be able to perform your duties when someone is watching you.
  2. The thought of working with someone just makes your stomach turn.
  3. Engaging in non-constructive criticism.
  4. No one can meet up to your standards. You are constantly chewing them up and spitting them out.

 

Truth of the matter is that we all have a little of each of these disorders in our personalities. Realizing the impact that our words and deeds have on others, will help us feel more positive about ourselves and give us a better outlook on life in general.

What is the treatment?

Team work. Getting along with others. How does one do this? One can start by setting small goals. During your 8 or 12 hour shift, do one random act of kindness and set a goal to say three positive things about your coworkers or job. By doing these two things, your attitude about your coworkers and your job will change. It will foster a team work mentality and in the end, we can all get along!

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