Eating_Disorders

Who is affected by eating disorders' Statistics say that 1 million men and boys struggle with eating disorders, 7 million women and girls struggle with eating disorders. The media is one cause of eating disorders, especially in young children and adolescents. Those who are diagnosed with eating disorders have negative thoughts and feelings about their body weight, and this can disrupt their daily lives and activities. It has been said that eating disorders are often considered a teenage girl disorder, however, a high number of males and adults qualify as being diagnosed with an eating disorder. What is an eating disorder' An eating disorder is a person who experiences harsh conflicts in their eating habits, for example reduced eating, or overeating and also making oneself throw up after food intake. Many different types of eating disorders. The most common eating disorders are Anorexia Nervosa or anorexia, and Bulimia Nervosa or bulimia. Someone who has an eating disorder may have started out by eating smaller or larger intakes of food, but in time, the urge to eat less or more grows out of control. Eating disorders are extremely difficult to understand despite scientific research to understand them, the behavioral, biological, and social underpinnings of these illnesses remain mysterious (Eating Disorders, 2008). Eating disorders are among the most common of all psychiatric disorders in women (Morgan et al. 1999). Anorexia nervosa is a well-known eating disorder. This eating disorder effects everyone, from adolescents to adults, both men, and women are affected by this illness. This type of eating disorder is one in which people can starve themselves to death. Those with anorexia have an extreme fear of gaining weight and have an indistinct view of their body size and shape. Because of this they do not maintain a healthy normal body weight. People who have the eating disorder anorexia, most often characterized as perfectionists and overachievers who may seem to appear in control. Not only is this a wrong characterization of them, but in reality they suffer from low self-esteem and often criticize themselves (Anorexia, 2008). Symptoms of the eating disorder anorexia can be identified if someone realizes that a loved one or a friend is refusing to eat, or they seem to have a desire to be thin. Often those with anorexia, diet, fast or over-exercise just to obtain an abnormally low weight. Many ways to identify an eating disorder. Someone with anorexia often engages in behaviors such as the misuse of laxatives, or self-induced vomiting. Even though, those with anorexia are very thin, they see and believe themselves as fat and overweight. An eating disorder like anorexia nervosa often develop after a stressful event that happened in one's life, such as hitting puberty, or moving out of their parents' house. Those who have had this condition for a long period, do have long-term symptoms. Some of these symptoms include: a slower heart rate and low blood pressure, heart failure is known in those who use drugs to stimulate vomiting, bowel movements, or urination. Brittle hair and nails, swollen joints, and osteoporosis are other long-term symptoms that people have been known to have when being anorexic for a long period (Symptoms of Anorexia, 2008). Anorexia is a very dangerous sickness that has many effects on the body and mind. Anorexia is being linked to other problems, ranging from infections, generals health problems, to life-threatening conditions. Many researchers categorize this eating disorder as a serious condition because of the effects it has on the body and mind. According to researchers no treatment program for anorexia is completely effective. Often improvement rates vary between 23-50%, and relapses range from 4-27%. Recovery takes an average of five to six years from the time of diagnosis. Up to 30% of patients do not recover (Complications of Anorexia, 2008). The complexity of anorexia, it requires a comprehensive treatment plan that involves: Medical care and monitoring, Psychosocial interventions, Nutritional counseling and Medication, when appropriate (Anorexia treatment, 2009). Family and friends being there to help support and give encouragement, plays a role in the success of anorexia treatment. Treatment is most successful when the disorder is diagnosed early (Anorexia treatment, 2009). Bulimia is another known eating disorder that effects numerous of people, from adolescents to adults, and includes both men and women. Someone who eats a great deal of food in a short amount of time, (bingeing) causes self-induced vomiting is known to have the eating disorder bulimia. When people self induce vomiting, this is their way of attempting to avoid gaining weight. A few ways to induce vomiting or purge, these ways are taking laxative pills, liquids that increase how fast food goes through one's body or making oneself vomit. A few other ways for a person with bulimia avoid gaining weight, would be exercising a lot, eating very little, or taking pills to pass urine (Bulimia, 2009). Physical signs and symptoms of bulimia has been referred to as a secret disorder as the signs and symptoms are not clearly visible (Honig 2000). Many complications a person can develop with developing the illness bulimia. Patients who do not have severe weight loss generally have a better outcome than those with anorexia. Researchers say that some studies suggest that 60-80% of bulimic patients are in remission within three months of treatment (complications of bulimia, 2009). Patients with bulimia are known to have relapses and over half of them with bulimia continue to battle illnesses such as eating disorders for years. The affects that bulimia have on a person's body are enormous. People with eating disorders, many are known to have medical problems. Some of these problems are tooth erosion, cavities, and gum problems. Bulimia patients can develop mental problems. Mental problems such as depression, anxiety, shame, and low self-esteem. Some individuals with bulimia also struggle with addictions to drugs and alcohol and compulsive stealing (Effects of Bulimia, 2009). The patient with bulimia generally presents as far more impulsive in life, a thrill- or excitement-seeker with extreme feelings, who has low tolerance of boredom and difficult interpersonal relationships (Schmidt & Treasure 1997). Common methods used in treating bulimia include: restoring weight to a healthy weight, end the binge-purge cycle, psychotherapy and if needed, medication. Treatment varies from person to person. Treatment for bulimia should include the skills of a nutritionist, mental health professionals, endocrinologists, and other physicians (Bulimia Treatment, 2009). If malnutrition is not severe, any substance abuse that is present at the time bulimia is diagnosed, would be treated first (Bulimia Treatment). So who is to blame for one developing an eating disorder' No particular cause for an eating disorder have been found. Concerns about weight and body shape play a role in all eating disorders, the cause of these illnesses appear to result in many factors, including cultural and family pressures, and emotional, and personality disorders (Causes of eating disorders, 2008). Some researchers suggest that media images do contribute to the rise of the incidence of eating disorders. Many other reasons for one developing an eating disorder. The media and the peer pressure of young girls and guys to be thin has become a major reason that people have developed eating disorders. Most celebrities in movies, TV advertising and sports programs are very thin, this is something that can lead young girls and boys in to thinking extremely thin is the ideal of beauty (kids health, 2008). EDs can affect anyone and everyone. Statistics say that 10% of the population are affected by eating disorders. EDs, eating disorders, is an addiction that affects both men and women as well as young girls and boys. The media and peer pressure have become one major reason that people have developed EDs. Another major reason for someone developing an eating disorder is stressful events that happen in one's life. Anorexia and Bulimia are two well-known eating disorders. They are known to cause mental problems, such as depression and anxiety. If EDs are not diagnosed early on, there may not be any success in treatments. References The Nemours Foundation. (1995-2009). Eating Disorders. Retrieved 6 Jan. 2010. from http://kidshealth.org/teen/ Schoenstadt, A. (2008). Eating Disorders. Retrieved 9 Jan. 2010. from http://eating- disorders.emedtv.com/eating-disorders/eating-disorders.html Segal, J. (2008). Helping someone with an Eating Disorder. Helpguide.org. Retrieved from http://helpguide.org/mental/eating_disorder_treatment.htm NIMH. (2009). Eating Disorders. Retrieved 9 Jan. 2010. from http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/eating-disorders/complete-index.shtml Murphy, Beverly, and Yvonne Manning. "An introduction to anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa." Nursing Standard 18. 14-16 (2003): 45+ General OneFile. Web. 28 Jan. 2010. Retrieved from .