EATING DISORDERS AND DISORDERED EATING CALL FOR SURVIVAL – IS YOUR TEEN AT RISK

EATING DISORDERS OR DISORDERED EATING is a reflection of SELF-PERCEPTION and A SERIOUS CALL FOR HELP !

Significant focus lately has been on the “models” around the world and their associated “thin” look.  American Idol, the next Super Model, and others show the associated forces of “thinness.”   Also, many articles and news reports have been on the obesity problem in the world, especially the United States.

Challenges have come so forefront with this terrific medical problem for our young women and some men, that even the modeling companies, worldwide, have taken newer roles of healthy expectations to limit the “skin on bones” starved look of current models.

Medically, the disordered eating individual includes new changes in diet in teens, especially if going from “normal” family eating habits to vegetarian, isolation during meals, or dieting.  Many time friends know of problems, but do not want to “rat” on their friend.  A sudden change in baggier “hiding” clothes may be a clue to a weight losing teen, unable to stop the spiral of destructive behavior. 

These eating disorders or better stated, disordered eating patients represent a body dysmorphism – an unhappiness of self – yet usually a symptom of feelings –sometimes brought on by the patient’s world.   Many are perfectionist personalities doing well in personal growth, school, friends, and even family.

What is anorexia nervosa?

Anorexia nervosa is an illness that usually occurs in teenage girls, but it can also occur in teenage boys, and adult women and men.  People with anorexia are obsessed with being thin. They lose a lot of weight and are terrified of gaining weight. They believe they are fat even though they are very thin. Anorexia isn't just a problem with food or weight. It's an attempt to use food and weight to deal with emotional problems.  This problem demands professional help.

What is the difference between anorexia and bulimia?

People with anorexia starve themselves, avoid high-calorie foods and exercise constantly. People with bulimia eat huge amounts of food, but they throw up soon after eating, or take laxatives or diuretics (water pills) to keep from gaining weight. People with bulimia don't usually lose as much weight as people with anorexia.

Why do people get anorexia?

	Warning signs of anorexia Deliberate self-starvation with weight loss Fear of gaining weight Refusal to eat Denial of hunger Constant exercising Greater amounts of hair on the body or the face Sensitivity to cold temperatures Absent or irregular periods Loss of scalp hair A self-perception of being fat when the person is really too thin

The reason some people get anorexia isn't known. People with anorexia may believe they would be happier and more successful if they were thin. They want everything in their lives to be perfect. People who have this disorder are usually good students. They are involved in many school and community activities. They blame themselves if they don't get perfect grades, or if other things in life are not perfect.

What are the problems caused by anorexia?

Girls with anorexia usually stop having menstrual periods. People with anorexia have dry skin and thinning hair on the head. They may have a growth of fine hair all over their body. They may feel cold all the time, and they may get sick often. People with anorexia are often in a bad mood. They have a hard time concentrating and are always thinking about food. It is not true that anorexics are never hungry. Actually, they are always hungr
y. Feeling hunger gives them a feeling of control over their lives and their bodies. It makes them feel like they are good at something–they are good at losing weight. People with severe anorexia may be at risk of death from starvation.  As dying continues, heart rates drop, kidney damage and liver damage can occur.  Odd changes can occur, such as high cholesterol and other heart disease.

What is the treatment for anorexia?

Treatment of anorexia is difficult, because people with anorexia believe there is nothing wrong with them. Patients in the early stages of anorexia (less than 6 months or with just a small amount of weight loss) may be successfully treated without having to be admitted to the hospital. But for successful treatment, patients must want to change and must have family and friends to help them.

People with more serious anorexia need care in the hospital, usually in a special unit for people with anorexia and bulimia. Treatment involves more than changing the person's eating habits. Anorexic patients often need counseling for a year or more so they can work on changing the feelings that are causing their eating problems. These feelings may be about their weight, their family problems or their problems with self-esteem. Some anorexic patients are helped by taking medicine that makes them feel less depressed. These medicines are prescribed by a doctor and are used along with counseling.

How can family and friends help?

The most important thing that family and friends can do to help a person with anorexia is to love them. People with anorexia feel safe, secure and comfortable with their illness. Their biggest fear is gaining weight, and gaining weight is seen as loss of control. They may deny they have a problem. People with anorexia will beg and lie to avoid eating and gaining weight, which is like giving up the illness. Family and friends should not enable to an eating disorder patient’s demands.   Group therapy for the family, and even the friends can be very helpful, and much more informative for a consolidated unified front to help save the life of a disordered patient.   

 

lurasidone or Lurasidone Some books that castMD would recommend are: 

Trelew The Body Betrayed  

Dying To Be Thin 

Starving For Attention 

Body Traps 

(Caveat:  some discussion is extremely serious, and adult oriented but may be used with  proper counseling and medical assistance.)

 

 

 

adapted from:   FamPhys with commentary by castMD