Anorexia

Anorexia and Bulimia

Anorexia Nervosa is an eating disorder that is more than just a problem with food, it's a way of using food, or starving oneself to feel more in control of life, and to ease tension, anger, and anxiety. People with anorexia are rarely aware that they have a problem; because this disease is defined by a distorted view of their own body image or weight. A person with anorexia often resists questioning and is extremely secretive, usually denying any problem, and making excuses for weight loss, and eating habits.

The symptoms of anorexia include; having low body weight for his or her height, refusing to keep a normal body weight, having an intense fear of gaining weight, and in girls if they missed three or more menstrual cycles in a row. Someone with anorexia may also take diet pills, not eat at all, or eat very little. They may exercise a lot, count calories, wear baggy clothes, and weigh themselves many times a day. They may also talk about weight and food all the time, not eat in front of others, be moody or sad, and not want to go out with friends.

Most people with anorexia or bulimia are female (90-95%), however it can also affect boys and men. Research shows that as African American, Latina, Asian, American Indian, and Alaska Native women are more exposed to images of thin women; and are more likely to develop eating disorders. There is no certain cause of either, however it may start depending on a persons' culture, family, personality, and biology. In our culture people feel like they have to fit a certain image from what they see in the media. Girls with family members that have an eating disorder are more likely to develop one. People that have always tried to be perfect at everything feel they need to portray a perfect body as well. Other factors may be genes, hormones and chemicals in the brain. Traumatic experiences like rape, as well as stressful things like starting a new job, can also lead to anorexia or bulimia. A person with an eating disorder may have low self esteem or feel hopeless. They may have problems expressing anger, and people may have a hard time controlling impulsive behaviors. Parents who criticize their childrens' bodies are more likely to have a child that develops an eating disorder.

Anorexia causes 90% of girls' deaths when they are young, however there is a larger percentage of males and females that die from it later in life. A record of ten million deaths in the United States over a five year period found that young females make up only a fifth of those who die from anorexia. Most people who die from the disease are seventy or older. Elderly are prone to depression due to a child leaving home, a spouse dying, or retirement from a job.

Bulimia Nervosa is a type of eating disorder in which a person has a system of binging and purging. Binging is where a person eats a much larger amount of food than most people would in a similar situation. During a binge episode the individual experiences a loss of control, followed by a calmness, which is followed by self loathing. As a result they feel the need to purge. Purging is when a person either makes themselves vomit, or takes laxatives to perform a bowel movement. They may feel better after the process but it eventually turns into a habit, and becomes an obsession.

People with bulimia may look completely normal. Most of them are of normal weight or overweight; this makes it hard to tell whether a person has bulimia, because binging and purging is often done in secret. A person with bulimia may also exercise a lot, eat very little or not at all, or take pills to pass urine to prevent weight gain. Some warning signs to look out for are; using diet pills, or taking pills to urinate or perform bowel movements, going to the bathroom after eating,