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Abstract
This paper is designed for you and I to learn more about Eating Disorders. What you are about to learn one day will maybe save your life. Hopefully you will never encounter what is called an Eating Disorder. Eating Disorders mostly consist of, Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Obesity and Compulsive Eating, although Obesity and Compulsive Eating are closely linked.
Anorexia is Starvation, by starving yourself. People who have Anorexia Nervosa starve themselves to be skinny, not eating a thing. Bulimia Nervosa is, vomiting what you eat. People, who suffer from Bulimia, eat foods that are high in calories or fat, then vomit what they eat, often they take diet pills, laxatives or diuretics, to make them keep their weight off. Obesity is said to be a mental problem, more than an Eating Disorder. It is a large accumulation of fat in the body. Compulsive Eaters usually eat when emotionally upset or stressed. Compulsive Eaters find an out by eating their way into happiness.
To find more about Eating Disorders and how to deal with them read this paper and find out for yourself. Just remember if you suffer from an Eating Disorder there is still hope for you and recovery. Although if you want to become a statistic you go right ahead and do so, but your hurting yourself and the ones that love you and care about you the most. Eating Disorders do KILL! As you will soon find out.
Eating Disorders are not the disease that you want to play around with, they are very dangerous, and can have a harsh effect on you and on your life. Never do you want to get involved with an Eating Disorder unless you want to pay the consequences.
Introduction
Eating Disorders are a way of life that can be called suicide. You vomit all that you eat and do not stop until it is too late, or you just do not eat. You wish and hope that the person you love will stop before it is too late, but they do not understand the words, to late. The person who has the Eating Disorder finds their life to be less stressful and open for more than just food and criticism. Life to them can be more sufficient if they have a way to get out of stress and that is their way out. Life to them is so much easier with the Eating Disorder because they find a way to let stress out.
Did you know that the person sitting next to you has a forty-five percent chance of getting an Eating Disorder? You might know them and you might not, but you can help them; by letting them know about Eating Disorders. Life can be so much easier if they know that they look good and have a great personality and everyone likes them.
Most cases of Eating Disorders are because of what the person sees on television or in magazines. Life as they know it will change; it will never be the same again, as they once knew it. Eating Disorders are a very complex disorder; start to get your knowledge early and maybe you can help someone that you love.
Chapter One Introduction
The study of Eating Disorders has long been studied. People are still trying to figure out why exactly people have Eating Disorders and why they continue with them. In order to teach you all about Eating Disorders, it would take many pages so I am going to take just some of the main questions that people ask. Many people have different views about Eating Disorders, though there are the simple questions, what is the medical treatment, what are the typical Eating Disorders, who gets involved in Eating Disorders, what are the psychological reasons for Eating Disorders, the emotional characteristics, medical characteristics, and the physical problems.
Eating Disorders are said to be, caused by the result of psychological disturbances, (Wolhart, 188). Women take up most Eating Disorders by an outstanding ninety- percent and only ten percent of men take up Eating Disorders. Learning about Eating Disorders is a reward in itself and to you and the people that love you. Understanding what is exactly an Eating Disorder is and what you can do to prevent it, and how can you help others overcome an Eating Disorder.
The focus on Eating Disorders out number the people trying to help the people with Eating Disorders. In order to be successful you have to be able to fix the problem with Eating Disorders and help the people who have already started the problem.
Eating Disorders have always been known to plague models or people who need to be thin because of their careers like; dancers, models, actors, flight attendants, jockeys, gymnasts and professional runners. That's not true any more, researchers have proved that, Eating Disorders can be started by anyone because of being upset with themselves or angry with themselves, (Levenkron, 18).
For you to have some knowledge about Eating Disorders this paper was designed for you to find out exactly why and how one would take up such a devastating disease, that can eventually take someone's life because of their need to be skinny.
Problem Statement
Eating Disorders target the young, the middle aged, and the old. Approximately eight million American teenagers and adults have symptoms of this life threatening disease. Eating Disorders are common among models, and many other professions because their weight is seen as the focus of their job. Though they can be found in others just because they are angry or not happy with themselves. The problem with Eating Disorders is that it is killing people, and even if they find help, the odds of going back to the disorder is likely by seventy-five percent, still no one takes it that they should get help they need before it is too late for them.
Purpose of the study, which includes research questions
My exact purpose of this study was to know hands on exactly what an Eating Disorder is and how to treat the Eating Disorder. My study of Eating Disorder was also self-intentional study to find out what exactly killed my best friend and why she had to do it, why she felt the need to be extremely skinny. The study involves the simple questions I had, why my best friend did this to herself and all the people that cared about her. Some of the questions were what are the typical Eating Disorders, who gets an Eating Disorder, the psychological characteristics of an Eating Disorders, emotional characteristics, medical characteristics, physical problems and the eventual treatment of an Eating Disorder.
Significance of the study of Eating Disorders
The significance of my study is to find out exactly what life wrenching disease had taken my best friends' life. Finding out what causes them, and learning more about Eating Disorders, incase another person close to me gets involved in an Eating Disorder. Never in my life would I wish this disease upon anyone, it is like a leech it sucks the life out of you and when you get to far into the disease it will not be too long before you die.
Chapter Two Literature
Section One
What are the Eating Disorders?
Anorexia
We often define Anorexia Nervosa as a form of self-starvation leading to excessive emaciation, usually resulting from a morbid fear of becoming fat or losing control of one's behavior. Anorexia comes from the Greek and it means a loss of appetite. Primary or Retrictive, anorectic achieves and maintains their low weight through fasting and sometimes through excessive exercises (Maloney, 11). Anorexia is a vicious weight loss that begins when the victim goes on a diet (Maloney, 11). Even after losing as much as one-fourth of their body weight, anorexics say that they feel fat, (Erlanger, 185). People with Anorexia Nervosa refuse to eat not because they are afraid to do so, but they are afraid of weight gain, afraid of becoming fat, afraid of losing control (Palmer, 18).
Anorexia is said to be, caused by the results of psychological disturbances, (Wolhart, 188, Pg. 54). Pointing out that the symptoms of Anorexia are self-starvation, and emaciation. Bingeing and purging, come later in the progression of whatever disorders underlie Anorexia. The major psychological features seem to be the fear of maturing and the fear of losing control.
Dealing with stress, of divorced parents, death, and school are the top causes why teenagers develop Anorexia. They think that becoming anorexic will take away all their uncertainty and guide them through the problem (Wolhart, 188).
Diagnosing Anorexia is not that easy unless you really know the person. Some of the pattern that would exist would be these the person's way of either eating or not eating is out of control, other people are affected in a negative way by the person's change of habits and behavior. He or she is unhappy, nervous, depressed, guilty, and or lonely, most of their health is in danger. Warning signs of Anorexia Nervosa are; significant abnormal weight loss, with no medical cause, denial of hunger, including claims of, feeling full or feeling fat only after a few bites. Other warning signs; extreme fear of weight gain; disruption or half of menstruation changes in personality or behavior. Those are the key warning signs of Anorexia Nervosa (Moe, 11).
Bulimia
The term is from the Greek, meaning insatiable appetite. Bulimia is often characterized by episodes of compulsive overeating or binges, immediately followed by self-induced vomiting to prevent weight gain from the overeating. Laxatives and diuretics are also used to prevent weight gain. Bulimia is now considered a separate disorder, although some bulimics develop Anorexia Nervosa. The bulimic is well aware of the loss of control of eating. About twenty percent of bulimics also abuse alcohol or drugs too. Bulimia is a two-part pattern of binges and purging that happens repeatedly. Bingeing is eating many calorie rich foods, high in sugar, and in fat. Purging comes in forms of vomiting, using overdoses of laxatives and diuretics, or fasting. A bulimics weight may often change dramatically, it can sparingly fluctuate (Cauwels, 18).
Bulimia was once thought to be a manifestation of Anorexia Nervosa. There is a close relationship between Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa. Some of the personality characteristics of typical anorectics and bulimics seem to be similar.
In 180, the American Psychiatric Association formally recognized Bulimia in its third edition of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Hall, 186).
Why do people become bulimic? Bulimics are generally considered to have a psychological or emotional disorder. There are significant studies that claim Bulimia is closely related to major affective disorders, and therefore can be caused by heredity and chemical imbalances in the body. Theories of Bulimia causes encompass both biological and psychological factors. Relationships or conditions in the person's life change suddenly like a divorce, death, a romantic breakup, or a new job, can lead the person to Bulimia. The person may fear or experience failure, and insecurity of physical appearance. The causes of Bulimia encompasses both biological and psychological factors, also (Wolhart, 188).
Still the question remains why? Bulimia is seen as the way out. First, of all that eating provides instant relief from painful feelings. The mind ceases to dwell upon anything but food and how to get it down fastest. It is also relief from boredom, the fear of failure or success and other pains and pressures.
Dieting does not work; at any moment, some twenty million Americans are actively dieting, and ninety-eight percent of them will fail to lose weight and keep it off. Mae West, Marilyn Monroe, and Twiggy for the past twenty years, centerfolds and beauty contestants have continually gotten thinner; although no one wants to tell how, they got that way (Moe, 11).
To diagnose Bulimia you would see some of the following patterns. Recurrent episodes if binge eating, consumption of high-calorie food intake, easily ingested food during a binge, inconspicuous eating during a binge, termination of such eating episode's by abdominal pain, abnormal sleep, social interruption, or self-induced vomiting. Repeated attempts to lose weight by severely restrictive diets or use of cathartics or diuretics frequent weight functions greater than ten pounds due to alternative binges and fasts. Awareness that the eating pattern is abnormal and fear of not being able to stop eating voluntarily; depressed mood and self-deprecating thoughts following eating binges and bulimic episodes are not due to Anorexia Nervosa or any known physical disorder (Boskind, 187).
Obesity
Obesity is also defined as a medical problem, rather than a mental disorder. Obesity is known as a large accumulation of fat in the body, around twenty percent or move above desirable weight. There is not a simple cause for the problem of Obesity. It maybe heredity, metabolism, developmental factors, environment, activity level, and the lifestyle that all play a role. A fat parent would be more likely to bear fat children, or one that is slightly over weight. Although twins on the other hand, end up with the similar body weight regardless of whether they grow up on the same house or not (Hales, 15).
Some obese people have a higher number of fat cells, than others and other severely obese have even large fat cells. Whereas the size of fat cells can increase at any time in the person's life, it is very early, possibly as the result of genetics and over feeding in infancy (Hales, 15).
Obesity accompanies a sedentary lifestyle. Physical activity constrains or prevents Obesity by increasing the calopic expenditure, moderating appetite and decreasing food intake and increasing metabolic rate. By comparison, individuals who rarely exercise are much more likely to become obese (Hales, 15). Obesity exists when fat tissues make up a greater than normal percentage of total body weight. This has been defined as a body fat content greater than thirty percent for women, and greater than twenty-five percent for men. Obesity is often measured by means of the body weight in relation to height. The risk of disease and death from Obesity-related health problems is significantly increased in individuals with a body mass index greater than thirty (Kubersky, 1).
What can cause Obesity? Obesity represents a positive energy balance in which excess nutrients are stored as body fat. The body's nutrients require an intake of calories in excess of energy expenditure. However, the balance between energy intake and expenditure is widely variable among individuals and is influences by a variety of genetic, environmental, and psychological factors (Nardo, 11).
Obesity is a complex disorder with multiple factors contributing to weight gain. In some individuals, environment and psychological factors and attitudes about food and eating patterns may be the primary factors associated with weight gain, whereas, in others, genetic backgrounds and a decreased level of energy expenditure may be the primary cause or etiologic factor (Erlanger, 185).
Behavioral techniques, which attempt to modify psychological and environmental factors associated with Obesity, have shown positive results in achieving short-term weight loss. Individuals involved in a behavioral group program may benefit from the supportive nature of the increased sense of control over their lives (Moe, 11).
Obese individuals have recently been treated with antidepressant medications such as desipramine and flouxetine. These medications have proved among normal-weight bulimics and may also be helpful in normalizing eating behavior in the obese population. Further research is needed of the individual with the wide variety of treatment approached are currently available (Moe, 11).
Section Two
Who Are More and Likely To Get Eating Disorders?
Approximately eight million American teenagers and adults have some symptoms of the life threatening disease. It is impossible to predict exactly who will get an Eating Disorder, although studies have shown that the typical female eighty-five to ninety-five percent, and the female is usually young between the ages of thirteen and twenty-five (Levenkron, 18).
The overwhelming majority of anorectics and bulimics are female. However about fifteen to twenty percent are male. There is essentially no difference in the experiences of males and females with the disorder. Whereas female's experience either pause of or irregular menstruation. Males suffer reduced testicular function along with other advanced symptoms shared by females. Anorectic males tend to be obsessed with exercise and may be compulsive joggers. Male bulimics are much more less known because so secretive and because bulimics do not display the same obvious symptoms as do anorectics.
Eating Disorders typically hit, those whose appearance is the focus of their careers; dancers, models, actors, flight attendants, jockeys, gymnasts and professional runners. So in other words Eating Disorders can strike anyone.
A person's race also has been found to be related to the development of Eating Disorders. Very low commonness rates of Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa has been reported for blacks and other minority groups. Most individuals who are present for treatment of Eating Disorders are white. This difference is probably due to cultural expectations of various ethnic and racial groups. It has been suggested that blacks are less affected by sociocultural pressures to be thin (Moe, 11).
What looks as a low percentage of Eating Disorders among nonwhites may be partly because minorities have not been systematically studied. Researchers have also suggested that socioeconomic factors may play a role in predominance rates; it appears that nonwhites' risk of developing Eating Disorders increases as they involve more of the middle and upper class values of their white counterparts (Nardo, 11).
Section Three
What Are the Psychological Characteristics of an Eating Disorder?
Anorexia
The psychological characteristics of a person with Anorexia Nervosa are to the anorectic, the thinner the better, (Nardo, 11). A diet can begin innocently, although the anorexic does not stop dieting at a reasonable point. They keep going until their lives may even be threatened. In an anorexics head they believe that exercise, diet pills, laxatives, diuretics or vomiting as ways of feeling thinner, whatever the method, the primary goal is thinness (Hall, 186).
The psychological characteristics of an Anorexic Nervosa person are; preoccupation with food, irrational fear of being or becoming fat, distorted body image, significant body disappointment, low self-esteem, depression, fear, anger, anxiety, irritability, difficulty expressing emotion in a direct manner, perfectionism, obsession, high need for achievement, absolute thinking, and high need for approval or fear of disapproval.
Yet you wonder why an anorectic does not stop dieting once they become skinny? The reason is that the major characteristic of the anorectic are a problem called distorted body image. Meaning that an anorectic sees their body images different from others see it (Kubersky, 1).
Bulimia
Although Bulimia and Anorexia Nervosa are closely linked, there are significant differences shown in each disorder. The bulimic person is likely to have a more accurate perception of body image than the anorectic person and is more likely to acknowledge abnormal eating patterns. Bulimics also tend to be more impulsive; however, they are more apt to refer themselves for treatment. Bulimics are more likely to be in a relationship, or to be married, than a person suffering from Anorexia Nervosa is. The families of bulimics are drawn from various classes and ethnic groups. Often there is a history of physical or sexual abuse in these families and a higher than usual incidence of substance abuse (Boskind, 187). There is likely to be depression in one or both parents and an association between depression in a parent and a bulimic offspring.
The psychological characteristics of the bulimic are impaired sense of self-worth and self-confidence. They tend to see themselves as less attractive, less capable, and less interesting as others. Associated with low self-esteem are strong achievement motivation and perfectionism. They believe that they are not as others are. Bulimics attempt to compensate by doing things perfectly.
Section Four
Emotional Characteristics
Each case is different and the anorexic or bulimic is often not aware of what is bothering them, until he or she begins treatment for his or her disorder. Even if he or she does not recognize the sources of stress in his or her life, he or she may not consciously connect with them with his or her eating pattern. Emotional conditions that turn people into becoming anorexic or bulimic; are some that may seem simple to us, although hard to cope with on others. They would be relationships or conditions in the person's life change suddenly. There may be a death or divorce in the family, a change in friends, a romantic breakup, or a new job, place of living, or school.
An Eating Disorder is a lonely and confusing experience. Anorexics and bulimics can feel isolated, rejected and defeated. The Eating Disorder is triggered by emotional problems, and in turn it triggers new stress and concerns (Erlanger, 185). Anorexics or bulimics have to face these new issues and conflicts that result from their disorders, and it is painful to deal with new concerns on top of their old ones. The result is extreme stress and a genuine need for help.
An Eating Disorder becomes so much apart of its victims' life it can be a very difficult problem to treat. The anorexic achieves superiority and specializes in being thin. Bulimics get comfort from their behavior. To the obese, being overweight makes them feel that something outside of them is responsible for their unhappiness.
Eating Disorders start in the mind. Genetic you can say, might be the cause of Eating Disorders (English and Swedish medical doctors, 17). It would be easier to treat them if they were simply physical problems, like a cold or the flu, but these illnesses are different physiologically, although they share common problems. Both suffer from feelings of low self-esteem; both have yet to discover their own special place in the world; and both have yet to learn who they are (Maloney, 11).
Emotions can play a role in weight problems. Just as some people search for a drink or drug when upset, and others contend with difficulties by overeating. In general, however, people do not become obese because they are psychologically troubled. Obesity increases the likelihood of other physical disorders; including high blood pressure, strokes, high cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes, breast cancer, gallbladder disease, upper respiratory problems, arthritis, gout, skin disorders, menstrual irregularities, ovarian abnormalities, complications of pregnancy, and in extreme cases, early death. Overweight people who take over-the-counter appetite-reducing medications, such as phenylpropanolamine, may develop side effects such as irritability and nervousness (Hales, 15).
Section Five
Medical Characteristics
Anorexia Nervosa can have quite debilitating and serious medical and physical consequences. To summarize, amenorrhea, is a common sign and symptom of Anorexia Nervosa? Other endocrine system problems might include abnormal estrogen metabolism, low testosterone levels, and abnormal thyroid function. Although amenorrhea is the hallmark of endocrine complications with anorexia, it may either directly or indirectly affect other systems, such as the skeletal system. The general medical signs and symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa are; amenorrhea, gastrointestinal problems, cardiac arrhythmia's, hypertension, hypothermia, dehydration, and electrolyte complications (Levenkron, 18).
The cardiovascular system, which includes the heart and blood vessels, also suffers. The heart muscle decreases in size and becomes weak. Blood pressure drops, as does the pulse rate. The body tries to conserve energy by limiting the supply of blood to the extremities, the feet, hands, ears, and nose are often cold and take on a blue or purple color (Levenkron, 18).
Other problems include constipation, digestive problems, bloating, dehydration, muscle cramps, tremors, and dental problems. Edema or swelling due to water retention is also common as a loss of bone mass that can make the body mass bones frail. Eventually all of these health problems can become too much for the weakened body. As many as twenty percent of anorexics are estimated to die for their disorder. What started as losing a few pounds' ends in losing all of them (Moe, 11).
Obese individuals have recently been treated with antidepressant medications such as desipramine and flouxetine. These medications have proved among normal-weight bulimics and may also be helpful in normalizing eating behavior in the obese population. Further research is needed of the individual with the wide variety of treatment approaches currently available (Nardo, 11).
People who are moderately or mildly obese can lose the weight through different approaches, including behavioral modifications (monitoring food intake, altering eating styles), cognitive therapy (changing thoughts and beliefs that lead to overeating), and support groups. For severely obese people, medical treatments, including surgery to bypass the stomach may be necessary to overcome the danger to health and life (Hales, 15).
Obesity in adolescence may increase the likelihood of Bulimia in adulthood. People who have been extremely obese may start bingeing and vomiting to keep their weight down. Although they may want to stop, they prefer Bulimia to severe Obesity (Hales, 15).
Section Six
What are the Physical Problems?
Anorexics suffer from many physical problems and emotional disorders. Several researchers are studying physical causes, but they have not reached and definite conclusions. Some experts say that problems with the hypothalamus gland or other parts of the body's' hormone system may increase a person's chances of an Eating Disorder (Erlanger, 185).
Physical dangers that can result from Eating Disorders are very dangerous. Hazards are numerous and fall into many categories. The first affect, is extreme weight loss, slower heart rate, stiff reflexes, increased sensitivity to cold, weakness, tendency toward mild anemia, and susceptibility to infection… Skin, hair, and nails become dry and brittle and fine downy hair called lanugo may grow in new places to conserve body heat. Your skin becomes dry and scaly, losing its healthy glow and turning yellow or grayish color. Once there is no more fat to burn, the body begins to lose its muscle as well as making the anorectic look frail, almost like a skeleton. Most females stop menstruating, though emotional or hormonal factors may contribute to this, too. Since a significant number stops menstruating before weight loss begins, because of all the stress on her body. The change in appearance of an anorexic is marked (Palmer, 18).
After the effects of weight loss itself, there may be side effects from weight reduction methods used. Vomiting, laxatives, and diuretics all disturb the balance of potassium and sodium in the body. When this balance is disrupted, the anorexic or bulimic may experience results ranging from heart irregularities and kidney problems to dizziness, fatigue, depression and irritability (Nardo, 11).
The anorexic seems so confident, so under control, it is difficult for friends and family to believe that he or she does no have any power over what is happening. Although friends and relatives may want to help, there may be feelings of helplessness and even anger.
Section Seven
What is the Treatment of Eating Disorders?
How one overcomes Anorexia Nervosa or Bulimia can be very tricky. One of the fundamental problems on dealing with people who are addicted to some kind of Eating Disorder, is getting them to recognize they have a problem. Meaning that the person has to want help, you are not forcing them to get help, the person recognizes that they have a problem and need that help.
Now that you can recognize an Eating Disorder and know something about its causes, you are already to find out how to treat one. People do recover from Eating Disorders, if they get help in time, but they need help to make it. The questions and answers in this section explain what kinds of help are available.
People with Eating Disorders deny their problem. The anorexic thinks that everything is fine; to him or her; their weight is exactly where it should be. The bulimic thinks on the other hand, may see that he or she has a problem with an unhealthy behavior; but tells themselves that they can quit anytime they want. It is unlikely he or she will ever seek help until his or her problem is so bad that it is affecting his or her physical and emotional well being. The Compulsive Eater or Obese individual may think that diets, one day will make everything, okay (Levenkron, 18). Obese people sometimes have no end or cure to their disease and a Compulsive Eater has to take steps to help themselves.
Denial is one of the biggest challenges that therapists and those with addictions face. Once someone admits that everything is just not right, that he or she does need help, then help becomes possible, the top priority is keeping the person alive, and their counseling will once begin when their physical strength is restored (Kubersky, 1).
What kinds of help are recommended for those with Eating Disorders? You wonder. There are many and many ways to go about them.
A combination of medical and psychological help is usually recommended. Of course, the amount and nature of the help depends on the extent of the problem. In cases where medical and counseling professionals feel that the persons' life and or stability is in danger, hospitalization is necessary. Counseling can begin once physical strength is restored (Hall, 186).
Counseling therapy is also recommended in non-hospital cases and may take a number of forms. One-on-one sessions generally provide the foundation for treatment. At first the therapist and client usually talk about concerns regarding weight, food, and body image and sets goals for establishing more normal patterns (Moe, 11). In later stages of therapy the individual should be working on relationship issues, self-esteem, and positive ways of coping with stress. As these underlying emotional factors are addressed, the chances of recovery are greatly increased (Hall, 186).
If group therapy is used, a therapist works with a number of people with Eating Disorders, more commonly bulimics. Members of the group can share their experiences and feeling, draw upon each other for strength, and therefore feel less alone on their struggles. The therapist guides the group so that discussions are directed at helping each other member achieve progress in the recovery.
Support groups are also useful, although they serve a different function than actual therapy. Support groups offer a safe environment in which anorectics or bulimics or their families can learn more about Eating Disorders and share their concerns about them. Groups are sometimes led by recovered individuals or family members of anorexics or bulimics (Boskind, 187).
Family couples' therapy may be used when the therapists feels that those family issues and attitudes have contributed to the disorder, or that the family's strength can be used to help solve underlying problems. The therapists will observe the families' communication patterns, decision-making patterns, roles, and values and give recommendations for ways to improve communication. Such help can be especially helpful to adolescent clients and their families, or to couples whose relationships are in distress (Boskind, 187).
There has been recent increase of interest, of the use of antidepressant drugs in the treatment of Bulimia. Continued research is needed, but the outlook from several studies appears promising. Of course, counseling is still recommended along with the drug treatment (Boskind, 187).
With treating Anorexia or Bulimia they have to set goals for themselves to accomplish.
•Give yourself permission to binge. In that way you can start tasting the food and relaxing about it. If you do not like the taste of what you are eating, you can give yourself permission to stop eating that food.
•Notice the texture, taste, and temperature of the food. Notice how it feels in your mouth, throat, and stomach.
•In the middle of a binge, go look at your face in the mirror. Touch your face and mouth. Remind yourself that you are more than a mouth.
•Talk out loud. Talk to the food. Tell the food what it is suppose to be doing for you.
•If someone comes while you are eating, invite them to eat with you.
•Afterwards be kind to yourself, do something nice for yourself. Analyze the experience you just had. Do not deprive yourself of the food (Boskind, 187).
Treating an Eating Disorder is not as cheap as you think. Eating Disorders can cost as much or more than a school scholarship to the best University. Each year the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) gives one point five million dollars to selected clinics that treat Eating Disorders, and the government is looking into the future to actually give a lot more to those clinics. Government officials have recently thought about the environmental effects of Eating Disorders, everyone sees all the models and wants to be there exactly like them, so the government is reconsidering letting half naked girls model on the cover of magazines, so that this would cut back in people getting Eating Disorders.
Conclusion
In order to put all of this research into one paragraph it would have to be, that Eating Disorders are very dangerous. Anorexia, Bulimia, and Obesity all have to do with one thing, lots of eating, then bingeing, and purging. Eating Disorders should be taken very seriously. As you read there are many physical and psychological problems that come into play with Eating Disorders. Hopefully in your life you will never come into contact with an Eating Disorder.
Chapter Three Methodology
Introduction with A Brief Review of the Problem and Research Question
Eating Disorders kill an average ten thousand people a year, with no end coming near. You can treat and retreat the person although on the average most people go back to the same routine of the binges and purges, and then have to go all through the treatment again even though they do not plan on quitting the sickness.
The research questions are what are the Eating Disorders, who is affected by the Eating Disorders, what are the medical, emotional, and physical characteristics, and what is the treatment. Those are the main questions that I wanted to know and wanted to study in this research paper.
Procedure Design
Eating Disorders was written in a well time based area, I started first of all by getting all of my notes together, then decided which notes I could use where I could use them best. Next, putting everything with its specific question, and hoping that everything turned out the way it was suppose to. All of my research was done in a two week time period and it took me five days to write my paper, then rewrite it to make it even sound better than it was.
Data Collection Methods
Each of the questions was answered through the findings in books or on an Internet source, though that did not give me much information. I also used my friends' diary that she kept while she was going through the Eating Disorder, to give some details of the disorder. Then the questions I had I answered them thoroughly with the books that I had checked out of the library. Each book was used for separate reasons, each book I used had its own meaning and for the purpose of each study for each question.
Chapter Four Findings/Analysis of Results
My findings were that Eating Disorders are very dangerous. Eating Disorders can occur in anyone and mostly in women by ninety percent usually have Eating Disorders and only ten percent in men. Eating Disorders take over someone's life and it is very hard for them to regain their self-confidence and to eat regularly again. Eating Disorders can eventually kill you if you do not seek help. All the information was found in the books that I borrowed from the library, and from personal experiences.
The results to Eating Disorders is that the person has to want to help themselves before they undergo treatment or they will never be fully healed. Eating Disorders corrupt your life and take away many things you like including family, friends, food and most of all your life. Eating Disorders are not something to play with they are a serious diseases and they need to be treated before it is too late. The Eating Disorder itself will rob you from many things, so why would you like to go through one just to look better or hurt yourself, no it is something psychological. If you have one or someone you know has one please receive the help you need to live your life not the diseases life.
Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Obesity, and Compulsive Eating are the main Eating Disorders, though Obesity and Compulsive Eating go together in lots of ways. Anorexia is a form of self-starvation. Bulimia is never having enough to eat, always wanting more. Obesity is being more than a desirable weight, and overeating too much. Compulsive Eating is eating more than you should and always wanting more.
Women with careers that focus on their weight often take up Eating Disorders. Men also have a tendency to take up Eating Disorders with the focus of their weight on their careers. Also a persons race is found to be related to the development of an Eating Disorder.
Psychological factors of an Eating Disorder a person with Anorexia or Bulimia is The thinner the better. They find a preoccupation with food, and a high need for approval or fear of disapproval.
Emotional Characteristics of a person with an Eating Disorder are, sometimes they are not aware of what exactly is bothering them, until they begin their treatment. Many have a lot of stress in their lives or they are confused somewhere in their lives. The Eating Disorder becomes such a big part of the victims' life that it is hard to treat the person. To the obese being overweight makes them feel that something on the outside world is responsible for their unhappiness.
Medical characteristics are unending although the most serious consequence is DEATH. Then other medical problems are abnormal estrogen metabolism, low estrogen levels, and abnormal thyroid function. Your heart muscles also have to work a lot harder to make your heart pump faster because you put such a stress on it by not eating and not eating does not help your heart.
Physical problems accompanying Eating Disorders are extreme weight loss, slower heart rate, stiff reflexes, increased sensitivity to cold, weakness, mild anemia, and susceptibility to infection.
Treatment to an Eating Disorder can be very tricky. People with Eating Disorders deny their problems, they believe that they are fine. Denial is one of the biggest challenges, which a person with an Eating Disorder goes through. Group therapy is often used in treatment of Eating Disorders. Treatment can be difficult if the person does not follow the treatment it can also be very deadly if they do not follow the treatment.
Chapter Five Conclusion
Summary of Findings
Eating Disorders are a complex disorder that no one can explain perfectly. Complications with this disorder are endless. Finding that the worst complication is death, the worst thing that you can end this disorder with, is the eventual death of someone that you love or yourself. Eating Disorders can make someone's life a complete uproar because of all the rough edges that the person goes through, making the self better, then going back to the Eating Disorder, and then cleaning yourself again of the disorder. Eating Disorders are like a roller coaster you go up then you go down, and it stays that way until you are perfectly healthy. No one can be perfectly healthy until you find the kind of help that you need and that fits you the person you are.
Conclusions
Understanding the environmental and psychological causes of Eating Disorders is very difficult. Though finding the truth about Eating Disorders is somewhat complex. Never understanding the true meaning of an Eating Disorder will hurt you. Eating Disorders you cannot prevent someone from getting, although you can help them try to overcome the Eating Disorder. You can tell the person that is insecure about themselves that they are good looking, have a wonderful body, and the greatest personality. Helping a person that is insecure is keeping them slightly away from an Eating Disorder, though you cannot totally prevent an Eating Disorder once the mind is set on one the body will develop one. Eating Disorders are nothing to fool around with; Eating Disorders are the fifth leading cause of death among women. No one can ever make you stop, you have to want the help yourself, and be willing to help yourself.
Recommendations for further study
If you want to study these disorders further you have to have complete knowledge of all of them, then study the one that interest you most, and totally tear that particular Eating Disorder apart. Studying an Eating Disorder is not the easiest thing to study; an Eating Disorder is one of the most complicated study methods. Living your life with an Eating Disorder is one of the hardest times your life will ever face.
Appendix
The Truth How It Really Ends
I guess it was about three years ago that I lost a very close friend to me. We had been close friends for about six years. We met while we were riding our bikes and ran into one another, from that day on we never parted. We could tell each other anything and it would stay between us. To my recollection one-day we were looking at magazines that had beautiful girls all over them. Skinny, nice bodies everything she wanted so badly. She weighed about one-hundred-twenty-five pounds, stood five-foot six inches tall, and she was sixteen years old.
About three months later, I noticed that she lost some weight. I asked her how she was going about her diet. She lied through her teeth to me, she said, she was on one of those Jenny Craig diets. I really thought nothing of it, because I knew she would not stick to it. It would eventually come annoying to her. So I went back on to my normal way with her.
Then one day while we were talking it slipped out of her mouth that she was Bulimic. I simply asked, Why do you do this to yourself? She had no answer for me only shrugged her shoulders. I could not believe that someone that once told me everything now was hiding things from me. She was someone that I once called a close friend. We never kept anything from one another too long. How she went on for six months and hides this from me was not the person I grew to know.
I made her then and there tell me everything. She told me that she had been this way for about eight months. She was not satisfied with her body. She claimed that when we went out guys would acknowledge me and not her. My God, I told her, we are the same size there is no difference between us. But Larissa, You are so much prettier and skinnier than me, and you just know that you could have anyone you want. The simple question was How much do you weigh? I weigh, one-hundred pounds. At this time tears were streaming down my face, she was going to kill herself.
I told her you need help! I can manage, I am not going to let this get out of hand. Too late, it is already out of hand. If you don't tell your mother, I will. I cannot sit here and watch you kill yourself, by doing something so stupid. She then went downstairs and told her mother. Her mother was very shocked that she would do something so crazy, just to lose a few pounds.
Immediately her mother checked her into the hospital, where she needed to be. She got the help she needed and came home six months later. As soon as she returned home, in about two weeks she went back to her old habits, not eating, then eating then throwing-up what she ate. When her mother found out about them, she asked, Why are you doing this to yourself? To be pretty and skinny. But you are and no can tell you that you are not. This is not how I see my self though mother?
Then one more trip to the hospital. She went through the same routine for five months. Every morning being weighed, being watched while eating, and also going to the bathroom. She had not one bit of privacy. This time everyone, including me thought this was going to be the last time she would ever see the hospital, because she was actually making progress. In about four more months and she would return home.
It was March , 16; she had just gotten home from the hospital. We had a huge welcoming home party for her. Her mother had planned it along with my help, we invited all her friends and family, and my new boyfriend. When she arrived at home, everyone was so happy to see her. The first words out of her mouth were Thank-you. We were so happy for her progress. She next walked over to me and gave me a great big hug and said, I am so happy for you, maybe I can find someone for me now that I am all better. We all thought that, that was so true. We could not have been more wrong.
She was so good at what she did that she went back into her old habit within two days of coming home. When we found out this time, we were all so let down. On her way to the hospital this time she did not make it. Halfway to the hospital, she opened the car door and jumped out. The car was going about sixty miles per hour. She had many cuts, and bruises, but worse of all she had major head trauma. She needed surgery to let some of the pressure off of her brain, the surgery went successfully. Although the morning after the surgery, she had a heart attack and died. She was only seventeen years old.
At her funeral service, her mother had asked me to speak. I was so horribly pissed off at her for doing something that was so stupid, that it was too hard to find anything nice to say. When I went up there, I simply said what was on my mind, nothing rehearsed. She was a nice girl to know, easily made friends; she was on the cheer team at her school and was well liked by all. For someone so popular and had everything going for her she turned her life upside down, for what someone like her and only like her body not the person behind the body. She was the nicest person in the world to know and her life ended to soon for her to find someone to like her for her body and not her. She died to just lose a few pounds, and to have a boyfriend. I had to sit down because I was crying to hysterically by then and so was everyone else.
It is terrible to do that to your body just to lose a few pounds and to be liked for your body not the person that you are. Before she died she weighed one hundred twenty-five pounds when she died she weighed seventy-five pounds. Now think before you want to be skinny, or have someone like you for your body and not the real you.
Her last journal entry read I cannot take this anymore everyone is judging me, they look at me different, and because I found the simple way to lose the weight I want. Why can't everyone see that this is the way I want to be and just leave it like that? No one understands me or the way that I want to be. I love all my family and all my friends, but I cannot have the one thing that I want the most a boyfriend that loves me, just like Larissa's…
References
Boskind-White, W.C. (18-87) Bulimarexia.
Canada; John Street, Markham Penguin Books
Cauwels, J.M. (18) Bulimia-The Binge Purge Compulsion.
Garden City, New York Double Day
First Edition
Erlanger, E. (188) Eating Disorders a Question and Answer Book about Anorexia and Bulimia.
Minneapolis, Minnesota Lerner Publications CO.
Hales, D. & Hales, R., M.D. (15) Caring For the Mind the Comprehensive Guide to Mental Health
New York, California Bantam Books
Hall, L. (186) Bulimia A guide To Recovery.
Santa Monica, California First Edition Gurze Books
Kranz, R. & Maloney, M., M.D. (11) Straight Talk About Eating Disorders.
New York, New York USA Facts on Files Inc.
Kubersky, R. (1) Everything You Need To Know About Eating Disorders.
New York Rosen Publications Group
Levenkron, S. (18) Treatment and Overcoming Anorexia Nervosa.
Canada Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
Moe, B. A. First Edition (11) Coping With Eating Disorders.
New York Rosen Publications Group
Nardo, D. (11) Eating Disorders.
San Diego Lucent Books
Palmer, R. L. (180;18) Anorexia Nervosa.
London, England Penguin Books Wright Lane
Wiatt, C. L. (15) Eating By Design.
New York, New York Pocket Books, a division of Simion and Schuster Inc.
Wolhart, D. (188) Anorexia and Bulimia.
Mankato, Minnesota USA Crestwood House
References
Boskind-White, W.C. (18-87) Bulimarexia.
Canada; John Street, Markham Penguin Books
Cauwels, J.M. (18) Bulimia-The Binge Purge Compulsion.
Garden City, New York Double Day
First Edition
Erlanger, E. (188) Eating Disorders a Question and Answer Book about Anorexia and Bulimia.
Minneapolis, Minnesota Lerner Publications CO.
Hales, D. & Hales, R., M.D. (15) Caring For the Mind the Comprehensive Guide to Mental Health
New York, California Bantam Books
Hall, L. (186) Bulimia A guide To Recovery.
Santa Monica, California First Edition Gurze Books
Kranz, R. & Maloney, M., M.D. (11) Straight Talk About Eating Disorders.
New York, New York USA Facts on Files Inc.
Kubersky, R. (1) Everything You Need To Know About Eating Disorders.
New York Rosen Publications Group
Levenkron, S. (18) Treatment and Overcoming Anorexia Nervosa.
Canada Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
Moe, B. A. First Edition (11) Coping With Eating Disorders.
New York Rosen Publications Group
Nardo, D. (11) Eating Disorders.
San Diego Lucent Books
Palmer, R. L. (180;18) Anorexia Nervosa.
London, England Penguin Books Wright Lane
Wiatt, C. L. (15) Eating By Design.
New York, New York Pocket Books, a division of Simion and Schuster Inc.
Wolhart, D. (188) Anorexia and Bulimia.
Mankato, Minnesota USA Crestwood House
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