Nov 21 2008
Out of Control: Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are generally characterized by restricting food intake, purging, or binging in order to cope with feelings of worthlessness, lack of family communication, or low self-esteem. Eating disorders are usually broken down into three categories: Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, and Compulsive Overeating.
Anorexia Nervosa is characterized by the restriction of food and failure to maintain a normal body weight. Anorexics experience body image distortions generally dealing with maturity or sexuality. Most Anorexics focus on body parts such as the buttocks, hips, thighs, and breasts. Any weight gain in these areas is interpreted as “fat” no matter how thin the person actually is. In serious cases, compulsive exercise, laxative, and diuretic abuse are present.
Bulimia Nervosa is characterized by the consumption of many calories (binging) and then induced vomiting, known as purging, to rid oneself of the caloric intake. Abuse of diuretics, laxatives, diet pills, and compulsive exercise are also present. Like Anorexics, Bulimics are obsessed with body shape and weight.
Compulsive Overeating is characterized by binging. Compulsive Overeaters may restrict eating in public and secretly binge in private. Food is a coping mechanism that temporarily alleviates emotional distress, but binging is followed by feelings guilt and shame. Compulsive Overeaters are also obsessed with weight.
All three are very dangerous and can be fatal if left untreated.
Statistics:
- 8 million Americans have eating disorders-7 million women and 1 million men
- 1 in 200 American women suffers from Anorexia
- 2 to 3 in 100 suffers from Bulimia
- 10-15% of people suffering from eating disorders are male
- eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any other mental illness
- only 30-40% of people with eating disorders recover, for the rest, it is fatal
- treatments for eating disorders in the US range from $500-$2,000 per day–a month of inpatient treatment can run around $30,000
- most health insurance companies do not cover the cost of eating disorder treatments
- 95% of people suffering from eating disorders are 12-25 years old
- 50% of girls between the ages of 11 and 13 see themselves as overweight
- 80% of 13 year olds have attempted to lose weight
- rates of minorities with eating disorders are similar to those of white women
- eating disorders are one of the most common mental illnesses facing women in Japan
Believe it or not, there are forums, groups, and ”Pro-ana” websites on the Internet where girls and women with eating disorders share their weightloss tips with one another. This is not a support group to help them get better, but a justification of self-destructive behaviors. Here’s an example of one: http://community.livejournal.com/proanorexia
If you or someone you know is suffering from an eating disorder, please take it seriously, it is deadly. This site can give you more information and help you find a treatment center in your area: http://www.eating-disorder.com/
Helping someone with an eating disorder, go here: http://www.helpguide.org/mental/eating_disorder_treatment.htm
My best-friend is an eating disorder survivor and I know she would be more than happy to correspond with any of you that are suffering. Please email me at thefemininepersuasion@yahoo.com if you’d like to be in contact with her.
