Thinking About Eating Disorders

Allow me to tell you the story of a friend of mine.

A young teenage girl we know recently suffered through the death of her mother and consequently had to be faced with being raised by her father in whom she was petrified of. Did I mention she was to be in charge of raising her 6 younger brothers and sisters.

She was always thin, but now weighs 90 pounds. She doesn’t think she has a problem and her father doesn’t think she has a problem. There are many questions in this situation, the major one being does she have an eating disorder. If she does have an eating disorder, what type is it….anorexia, bulimia?

It’s clear she needs help, others have tried, however her father prevents any intervention. The question becomes, what is causing the eating disorder? That’s why I assembled this collection of articles and ebooks on eating disorders. Hopefully, you…the reader, might see yourself or someone you care about in the articles to come. Perhaps you might see that you are experiencing the symptoms discussed for anorexia or bulimia. Maybe you binge eat.

In a society that is increasingly placing standards of beauty upon the youths of our population, people are at more of a risk than ever when it comes to developing an eating disorder. The celebrities in television and the media display stick-thin figures which can create a high standard of beauty that can lead to many problems with an individual’s self esteem. When coupled with the fact that an obesity epidemic is overtaking much of the modern world, it’s important to have a full understanding of the eating disorders which are prevalent in society today in order to be able to catch the warning signs when an individual you know is afflicted.

This truly is a life and death discussion. Admitting you might have an eating disorder of some type is the first step in finding a solution to your problem. I pray that you might listen to the voice inside your head as you read the following material.

 

All About Pica

While the media discusses some of the more commonly occurring eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia, few realize that there are actually many other types of eating disorders that one may fall victim to. In this article, we'll discuss a lesser-known eating disorder that is known as pica, helping you to learn more about the disease so that you can be better informed about its possible symptoms and treatments.

Whereas many of the eating disorders that we commonly discuss involve a low-self image and a desire to become thinner, pica is a drastic departure from this standard. Pica is definitely an outlier in the world of eating disorders, and it is described as a disorder in which one constantly feels the need to eat things that are not commonly considered food. The name 'pica' actually was imparted to the disorder since pica is Latin for magpie, which is a type of bird that often has an odd diet. While the cravings may occur a time or two in some individuals, when the symptoms persist for more than a month, a case of pica may be accurately diagnosed. Things that people with pica often desire to eat may include dirt, chips of paint, starch for use in laundry, and the feces of animals, soap, or glue. These are just a few of the things that one may desire to consume, and there are many other things to consider. While some of the things that those with pica desire to eat can be consumed with little to no negative effects on the body, others can have terribly bad effects. There are several different reasons for which one may develop a case of pica, and quite often, it is due to the deficiency of certain minerals such as iron or zinc. Poor diets may also result in a desire to eat non-food items, and malnutrition can sometimes be pointed to as the cause. Mental retardation can also be responsible, as well as certain cases of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Women who are pregnant may also experience a case of pica, as cravings during pregnancy can be intense and odd.

When it comes to treating a case of pica, the treatment often depends upon the individual. In many cases, the disorder can be cleared up by addressing the mineral deficiency that may be causing the urges. Psycho-therapy may also be employed in order to help a person to cure themselves of their pica urges. It's important to address the disorder if it is present, as it can cause malnutrition and lead poisoning. Infections may also occur, and if one is eating certain items, intestinal blockage may occur which can really complicate matters. If you know someone who you suspect is undergoing a problem with the eating disorder known as pica, you may want to ask them to visit a doctor in order to address the problem and determine whether or not a deficiency could be causing it to occur. While it's an odd eating disorder, it's no laughing matter, and it's something that needs to be addressed in order to be treated.

Written by: Scott Parat