ANOREXIA AND BULIMIA
Anorexia Nervosa: a condition characterized by intense fear of gaining weight or
becoming obese, as well as a distorted body image, leading to an excessive weight loss
from restricting food intake and excessive exercise.
Bulimia: an eating disorder in which persistent overconcern with the body weight and
shape leads to repeat episodes of binging (consuming large amounts of food in a short
time) associated with induced vomiting.
To support our definitions we interviewed Dr. David Praul of Charter Hospital by fax.
1. Is there a typical sufferer of Anorexia or Bulimia?
While anorexics are often members of the middle class or affluent society, recent
findings show sufferers come from all backgrounds and many different styles and sizes of
families. Also there is a tendency for anorexics to set unreasonably high goals and to
aim for perfection in all that they do.
Generally speaking, bulimia is likely to begin after the late teens, while anorexia more
often starts during adolescence. The incidence of anorexia or bulimia in males is about
5% of all cases, with the onset of the disorders generally mid-teens to early twenties.
2. What are the causes of the eating disorders Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia?
There are many theories, but no clear picture. It is an over simplification to blame
the mass media's presentation to blame the mass media's presentation of the ideal shape:
though western society's increased emphasis on the slim, fit body places pressure on many
people.
We know there are many factors affecting the development of the disorders- biological,
psychological and sociological- so the relationship between parent and child need not to
be seen as the dominant cause. However the reluctance to mature physically (sexually) and
emotionally, and the issues of personal control between parent and child, could
contribute to some cases of anorexia.
Low self -esteem and poor body image contributes to both disorders; and it seems life
crises- such as changing relationships, childbirth or death- may trigger the eating
disorders.
3. What are the side-effects of Anorexia and Bulimia?
These are described more fully in Anorexia and Bulimia Nervosa Foundation of Victoria's
brochures on the disorders.
The anorexic experiences physical side-effects similar to malnutritian, with severe
sensitivity to the cold, loss of menstral periods and growth of down-like body hair.
Bulimic women may also stop mensturating or have irregular periods. Both disorders
involve the possible dysfunction of the kidneys, imbalance in the bodily chemicals and
damage to colon or urinary tracts. Constant vomiting erodes dental enamel and gives the
person a sore throat and gullet.
Each disorder places tremendous emotional strain on sufferers, the malnourishment of
anorexics actually results in an inability to think clearly or concentrate.
Despite many sufferer's reluctance to admit anything is wrong, the quality of life for
an anorexic or bulimic person leaves a lot to be desired.
Friends and families are alienated by the unpredictable and anti- social behavior of
the sufferer. The anorexic and bulimic person is unable to take part in food related
activities, and may undergo a complete personality change.
Left untreated, both disorders can lead to even death, so I would reccommend expert
advice as soon as possible.
4. How are the family and friends of the victim affected by the diseases?
Parents often comment on the seceptions practiced by their sick child. While anorexics
will usually deny having a problem, bulimics wilo go to great lengths to conceal the
problem. It is a shock for a parent to find evidence of vomitting, of empty boxes of
laxitives in a daughter's room.
Husbands are devistated to learn the reason their wife delays coming to bed each evening
is that she is purging herself in the bathroom. The siblings of a sufferer often become
co-consdiritors with their brother or sister to keep the truth form their parents.
The strain of living with the eating disordered person can create divisions in the
family. Each person is involved by the sufferer's behavior in different ways. However,
all of the family members feel about the same emotions: confusion, helplessness,
anxiousness, and anger. Everybody wonders how to approach the loved one and how to deal
with the problem.
5. What can families and friends do to help the sufferers?
The fisrt step is to get the problem out in the open, but being really senstive about it
and taking great care. The person who has the disorders feels shame and guilt and may
feel threatened that the secret is out. They might feel angry, and the feelings need to
be worked out in a constructive way. Reassurance that the friends and family do not blame
the sufferer will help a lot.
Sufferers need to seek professional help and family members need to insist if the
sufferer is in danger or in complete denial.
An instance of the disorder of Anorexia Nervosa is about a 16 year old girl named
Lonnie. Lonnie is five foot seven inches and weighs 82 pounds. She is terrified by eating
and gaining weight. Steven Levenkron is the psychotheripist who is treating her. When
Steven first meets Lonnie, he describes her as an emaciated young girl without self
worth. Lonnie got anorexia when she thought that everyone was staring at her because she
was so fat
Arbuckle is a 17 year old boy. He subconciously got anorexia. Arbuckle was a runner.
He was always told that the lighter you are, the faster you run. So, his mind controled
his appetite untio food was no longer appealing to him. On top of all this, Arbuckle was
running even more.
Some syptoms of anorexia include drastic sudden weight loss and irritability. Bulimia
symptoms include evidencer of vomiting and use of laxitives. Both disorders include
alienation from friends and family.
Both eating disorders are caused by lack of self esteem, many changes in life, or over
simplification of life (eg. If I eat, I get fat). Thankfully, anorexia and bulimia are
usually treatable through phychotherapy and intense affection, patience, and love.
To prevent these eating disordrs, always be on the look out for abnormal social
behavior. This is the tell tale sign of mental ilnesses accosiated with your mind.
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