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.

 

Facts and Figures About Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are difficult conditions because they affect all aspects of a person's life. They are multifaceted disorders that affect a person's whole being, including their psychological, emotional, and physical health. They can be very destructive, and early intervention is key in order to prevent serious health complications. Here are some facts and figures about eating disorders that can help put this complicated condition in the context of frequency and costs.

First, it is important to know that eating disorders can affect people from all sorts of backgrounds. Eating disorders do not discriminate against different genders, age groups, or socioeconomic, ethnic and cultural background. Eating disorders can develop in anyone who is particularly vulnerable to the condition. However, although eating disorders can affect anyone who with low-self esteem, body image issues, or compulsive behaviors, they do tend to be more prevalent among certain segments of the population. According to recent research, there are approximately seven million women and one million men currently suffering from some kind of eating disorder. On average, most people with eating disorders develop them before the age of twenty, although they can develop at any age. A ten-year study completed by the Anorexia Nervosa and Related Disorders (ANAD) found that most people with an eating disorder report that the condition has duration of between roughly one to fifteen years. Thirty percent of those with a history of eating disorders reported that their condition lasted between one and five years. Sadly, the studies conducted by ANAD found that roughly six percent of all severe cases result in death. ANAD's ten-year study also found that fifty percent of those interviewed had not yet entered the recovery stage.

Another interesting finding has to do with the cost of treating eating disorders, an aspect of the condition and treatment process that is rarely studied. Unfortunately, the treatment of eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia can be very expensive. Eating disorders can be very difficult to treat, and treatment can last several years. In fact most patients can expect to be in some form treatment for several years. For instance, treatment at a private inpatient treatment facility can cost up to $30,000. For serious cases, outpatient treatment that requires extensive medical monitoring and therapy can cost up to $100,000. The cost of treating this complex condition provides ample reason for implementing prevention and awareness programs at schools and colleges.

ANAD and other eating disorder awareness organizations recommend that schools reach out to young people to raise awareness about the destructive nature of eating disorders. Since most studies indicate that individuals develop eating disorders during their adolescence, it makes sense to promote greater education and awareness about eating disorders at an early age. At the moment, few schools have eating disorder awareness programs as part of the official school curriculum. Eating disorders are widespread and difficult to treat, so it makes sense to reach out to young people to raise awareness about the destructiveness and complexity of this condition.

Written by: Scott Parat