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.

 

Eating Disorders: Five Things Teens Should Know

The teenage years are often marked by turbulence, stress, and change. It is not surprising then that eating disorders are most common among teenagers. Here are five things that all teenagers should learn about eating disorders.

1. Eating disorders are characterized by an unhealthy relationship to food. Most people understand eating disorders as something that afflicts young women who are dieting. The truth is that eating disorders have to do with our relationship to food and issues related to body image and self-esteem, and not just our desire to become thin. Although most people automatically think that eating disorders are confined to anorexia nervosa and bulimia, there are other less well-known eating disorders such as nocturnal eating disorder and binge eating disorder that are also characterized by an unhealthy relationship to food and eating. In fact, all eating disorders have one common denominator: an ongoing and unhealthy relationship with food that becomes a disruption in a person's life.

2. Eating disorders most often affect young women, although they can affect just about anyone. It is estimated that over 8 million people in the United States are afflicted with some kind of eating disorder. Patients come from all social and ethnic backgrounds, although some studies have suggested that young affluent white women are more susceptible to developing an eating disorder. Most eating disorders first become evident during adolescence, but can begin even in young children. Men can also become victims of a serious eating disorder. In fact, doctors report a rise in the incidence of eating disorders among men. Athletes who feel pressure to conform and compete have been identified as particularly vulnerable to developing an eating disorder.

3. Eating disorders can emerge during periods of stress and change. Doctors don't yet fully understand why eating disorders are present in some individuals, and not others. But they do have an understanding about the circumstances that may make some people more vulnerable to developing an eating disorder. Research has shown that individuals who are experiencing stress, depression, or who have recently experienced some kind of major life change are much more vulnerable to developing the symptoms of an eating disorder.

4. Eating disorders can cause a variety of serious health problems. Many teenagers who become preoccupied with food, body image, and exercise do not understand the health risks posed by their actions. Many eating disorders can cause serious health problems. These include heart problems, stomach problems, irregular menstrual periods, kidney problems, dental problems, hormonal disturbance, dehydration and dry skin, to name just a few. Intervention and hospitalization may become necessary in more severe cases.

5. Eating disorders can be treated successfully. Now more than ever there is a better understanding of eating disorders, and many treatment options and resources are available for teenagers and their families whose lives have been touched by an eating disorder. Treatment consists of various therapies, including nutritional therapy, psychotherapy, and family and individual counseling. Sometimes prescription drugs are used to treat underlying problems. For instance, antidepressants may be prescribed.

Written by: Scott Parat