Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who’s the
fattest one of all?
- Unknown
Men and
women of all ages, races and incomes get eating disorders. Almost eighty
percent of people with eating disorders started with dieting. Experts estimate
one in four college women are bulimic. Did you know ninety percent of women
overestimate their weight and everyday fifty six percent of women are on a diet?
It is also not surprising that eating disorders are on the increase because of the
value society places on being thin. Women especially are given the message at a
very young age in
order for them to be happy and successful they have to be thin. Did you also
know the average model weighs twenty three percent less than an average woman?
According to medical standards they fit into having a disorder. Diet
commercials are constantly appearing on television screens telling us that
losing weight will make everyone happy. Over five million American men and women suffer from
eating disorders. (Volstead 45) Depression, shame, and agonizing sense of
isolation is caused by eating disorders, they disrupt families, schools, and
damages careers. It’s unfortunate, but in today’s society, people have
forgotten that it’s what’s on the inside that counts, not what’s on the
outside.
One
percent of teenage girls in
the US develop anorexia nervosa and up to ten percent of those may die as a
result. (AABA 3) Anorexia nervosa is a disorder in which preoccupation with
dieting and thinness leads to excessive weight loss. The individual may not
acknowledge that his or her weight loss or restrictive eating is a problem.
Most women and an increasing number of men are motivated by the urge to become
thin. Anorexics usually strive for perfection. They usually have a low
self-esteem and sometimes feel that they don’t deserve to eat. Denying the
problem occurs most of the time. There are many warning signs for anorexia.
Some of the signs are having a noticeable weight loss, becoming withdrawn, lots
more exercise, fatigue, weakness in muscles, headaches, and a different
attitude towards others. There’s many more, but just look at the ones here and
say that they aren’t dangerous. There are also many medical conditions
to go with
this disease like hair loss, bloating, cold hands and feet, etc. Some people
wear baggy clothes to make themselves feel skinnier then they already are and
they still feel the urge to lose more weight. Anorexics close to death will show you on their
bodies where they feel they need to lose weight. No matter what their weight
is, they still feel fat and need to lose more weight. It is not uncommon for
someone who develops the disorder to starve him/her until they weigh just 60 or
70 pounds. Researchers have discovered that a part of the brain called the
hypothalamus begins to work improperly after the onset of anorexia. The
hypothalamus controls such activities as maintenance of water balance,
regulation of body temperature, secretion of the endocrine glands and sugar and
fat metabolism. (ANAD 16) Further studies are needed, however, to determine if
anorexia patients have a biological predisposition to develop the illness.
Bulimia
is an eating disorder that involves eating binges followed by quickly purging,
using laxatives, and other efforts. It is also related with anorexia, but
doesn’t have the large weight loss that goes along with it. It can cause
gastrointestinal problems, potassium depletion, and damage to teeth from the
acid in regurgitated food. Bulimia
usually develops during adolescence, especially among females, from pressures
including the social emphasis on sliminess. Just like an anorexic the bulimic
uses self-destructive eating behaviors to deal with psychological problems that
go deeper. An individual feels out of control and recognizes that the behavior
is not normal. There are actually two different types of bulimia. There is the
purging kind and the non-purging kind. The purging type: during the current
episode of Bulimia Nervosa, the person has regularly engaged in self-induced
vomiting or the misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or enemas. The non-purging
type: during the current episode of Bulimia Nervosa, the person has used other
inappropriate compensatory behaviors, such as fasting or excessive exercise,
but has not regularly engaged in self-induced vomiting or the misuse of
laxatives, diuretics, or enemas. (MSB 1) Some warning signs may be vomiting,
mood swings, depression, tooth decay, and irregular heartbeats. The list goes
on and on. Some experience medical complications and physical problems like
dizziness, shortness of breath, lack of energy, and some major organ damage.
It’s not looking good for some people who have bulimia.
Binge
eating can be very dangerous to everyone. People who have this condition engage
in frequent binges, but unlike a bulimic they don’t purge. Food is used as a
dysfunctional means of coping with psychological problems. It’s usually
followed by and intense guilt or shame from eating so much food. An individual
usually experiences depression and other psychological problems. Almost forty
percent of obese people may be binge eaters. (AABA 2) This eating disorder is
mostly over-looked by people. It usually starts in childhood when eating
patterns are formed. (Claude 80) There are a number of treatment options
available for the compulsive overeater. Individual or group therapy and outpatient
or even inpatient programs are certainly treatment options. There are also
non-profit organizations available, which deal specifically with compulsive
overeating. Many compulsive over eaters deal with weight gain, hypertension,
heart ailments, and mobility problems. Seeking medical help would be best. Even
though this disorder isn’t as serious as the others it is still one that
shouldn’t be over looked.
When
the problem is addressed initially, anyone needs to prepare oneself for all the
possible reactions. Everyone who suffers with an eating disorder experiences a
large amount of suffering and pain, but they are not the only ones who suffer.
The ultimate goal should be to get that person to seek help. This person may
become upset and/or angry also a chance that they become relieved that someone
wants to help. People tend to isolate themselves and become very good at hiding
the problem. Some may be confused about why the whole thing started, where to
go for help, and how to approach the person. The best way to deal with it is to
find out more and educate oneself on the situation. Many find themselves guilty,
because they somehow feel responsible for the person’s actions. People with
eating disorders are going to have low self-esteems and think they are
worthless. They need to know they are loved and they are important. There is
only so much help that they can take form people. Never forget that no one is
hopeless and eating disorders can be beaten. It takes hard work and time to
beat these giants.
There
are many different approaches to treatment of eating disorder, no single
philosophy works for everyone. Eating disorders are psychological problems that
require therapeutic treatment. Sometimes patients require several different
types of treatment before finding one that is helpful. A feeling of trust must
exist if there is a therapeutic relationship if it is to be beneficial. Just
remember recovery is possible and there is help out there for anyone.
Once
again, it should be stressed that diets don’t work. Eating three healthy meals
a day, a few snack and doing some exercise, will allow your body to go to its
natural point. It’s important to remember that no one food will make you fat,
as long as it’s eaten in small portions. Stop buying those fashion magazines
and diet products, and stop believing all the lies that are on television.
Focus on learning to love yourself. No number on a scale and fitting into a
smaller dress size will not make everyone happy. Happiness can only come from within.
The Obvious escapes many; will you let it
escape you?
Capt.
Obvious
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