When an obsession and preoccupation with food and the amount of food one eats begin to affect self image to the point where one is saying, "I'm too fat," "I'm ugly," help is often needed.
People suffering with Anorexia or Bulimia often feel a sense of power out of their eating habits. It is not uncommon to find an Anorexic or Bulimic who feels the "high" after periods of starvation or purging. Compulsive over-eaters often feel the exact opposite; lack of power and a loss of control.
What is Anorexia?
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (MIMH), "Anorexia nervosa is characterized by emaciation, a relentless pursuit of thinness and unwillingness to maintain a normal or healthy weight, a distortion of body image and intense fear of gaining weight, a lack of menstruation among girls and women, and extremely disturbed eating behavior. Some people with anorexia lose weight by dieting and exercising excessively; others lose weight by self-induced vomiting, or misusing laxatives, diuretics or enemas."
What is Bulimia?
The NIMH describes bulimia as, "Bulimia nervosa is characterized by recurrent and frequent episodes of eating unusually large amounts of food (e.g., binge-eating), and feeling a lack of control over the eating. This binge-eating is followed by a type of behavior that compensates for the binge, such as purging (e.g., vomiting, excessive use of laxatives or diuretics), fasting and/or excessive exercise. Unlike anorexia, people with bulimia can fall within the normal range for their age and weight. But like people with anorexia, they often fear gaining weight, want desperately to lose weight, and are intensely unhappy with their body size and shape. Usually, bulimic behavior is done secretly, because it is often accompanied by feelings of disgust or shame."
Treatment for Eating Disorders
The NIMH recommends treatment programs that involves " psychological and medicinal treatments are effective for many eating disorders... treatment plans often are tailored to the patient's individual needs that may include medical care and monitoring; medications; nutritional counseling; and individual, group and/or family psychotherapy. Some patients may also need to be hospitalized to treat malnutrition or to gain weight, or for other reasons."
Treatment facilities can be located by going to: Ask a Counselor
Read eating disorder signs and symptom articles at: Disordered Eating: My Child Is Not Eating
