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Anorexia
and Bulimia are forms of mental disorders that are becoming progressively
more widespread in today’s society, for a variety of reasons, among
which is childhood abuse and trauma.
Anorexia
is fundamentally about weight rather than about eating. It is essentially
self-induced starvation to the point of the extreme and can result in
deadly loss of weight. An Anorexic will typically claim that they do not
have an appetite, because in eating comparatively normal amounts of food,
they have a fear of gaining weight or being considered fat, even though to
others they are extremely thin. An Anorexic is constantly trying to gain
the ultimate thinness, and since there is no such definition, they become
trapped in an endless weight loss as the disease progresses.
Bulimia
is fundamentally characterized as a food obsession, followed by repeated
bingeing, and purging. ( Overeating followed by abuse of laxatives,
enemas, excessive exercise, diuretic abuse, self-induced vomiting etc).
This usually forms into an extremely vicious and possibly fatal condition.
Anorexia
is defined by several major characteristics :-
1.
A profound fear of being fat, (even when emaciated).
2.
Self-induced starvation.
3.
An obsession with food, weight and appearance.
4.
A relentless pursuit of loosing weight, typically 20 to 25% loss of
normal body weight.
5.
Deprivation of food despite obvious hunger
6.
No other medical or mental disorder that can explain the weight
loss.
7.
Occasional perceived binges followed by purging.
8.
Ritualistic behaviors around food.
9.
Distorted body image of others and self.
10.
Will often disguise the lack of calories they eat by quantities of
fruit and salads etc.
The
Anorexic will often have unusual patterns around eating food themselves,
and be obsessive in cooking for others. To hide their fears of eating,
many will say that they are vegetarians, so as not to have to eat the same
meals as others around them.
Bulimia
is defined by several major characteristics :-
1.
Weight fluctuations within 10 to 15 pounds above and below normal
body weight.
2.
Are trapped in binge / purge cycles.
3.
Perfectionism.
4.
Often turns to substance / alcohol abuse.
5.
Secretive binge eating that ranges from 1,000 to 20,000 calories.
6.
Binges are followed by purging by fasting, laxatives, vomiting,
diuretics etc.
7.
Some chew and spit out food before swallowing.
8.
Rituals around food and other aspects of life.
There
are many warning signs and characteristics that are shared between both
diseases. Some sufferers only have a few of these, many have them all.
The
causes of Anorexia and Bulimia can be, among others; -
a.
Feeling of , or real, lack of control in ones life.
b.
Sexual abuse and or trauma
c.
Peer pressure and media encouragement of thinness
d.
Major life changes and crises such as death of a loved one,
puberty, location changes etc
e.
The need to relive stress and anxiety.
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