Anorexia - Self-starvation - Health - http://maxpages.com/elliesownpage/Anorexia

When people refer to "eating disorders" they are usually talking about anorexia, bulimia, or binge-eating disorder. In this section, we will discuss anorexia.

Anorexia is characterized by significant weight loss due to self-starvation. The fear of becoming fat often takes over the anorectic's life. Below, some characteristics of anorexia are listed.

Intense fear of becoming fat.

Body image disturbance.

Weight loss

Amenorrhea (loss of menstruation)

Strange food habits, such as cutting food into small pieces, eating slowly, etc.

Full Diagnosis Criteria from DSM-IV. Although the below criteria is what is used to diagnos someone, I personally believe that someone does not need to be 85% of their ideal weight to be diagnosed. I was diagnosed with anorexia nervosa at a normal weight due to my attitudes and feelings about food, which is what anorexia is all about.

Refusal to maintain body weight at or above a minimally normal weight for age and height (e.g., weight loss leading to maintenance of body weight less than 85% of that expected; or failure to make expected weight gain during period of growth, leading to body weight less than 85% of that expected).

Intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat, even though underweight.

Disturbance in the way in which one's body weight or shape is experienced, undue influence of body weight or shape on self-evaluation, or denial of the seriousness of the current low body weight.

In postmenarcheal females (women who have not yet gone through menopause), amenorrhea (the absence of at least three consecutive menstrual cycles).

*Restricting Type*: during the current episode of Anorexia Nervosa, the person has not regularly engaged in binge-eating or purging behavior (i.e., self-induced vomiting or the misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or enemas)

*Binge-Eating Type or Purging Type*: during the current episode of Anorexia Nervosa, the person has regularly engaged in binge-eating OR purging behavior (i.e., self-induced vomiting or the misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or enemas)

Weight loss is usually occured through starvation, but some anorectic's purge, take laxatives, diuretics, and compulsivly excersize. It all starts out with a simple diet, but can easily take a turn for the worse. The weight loss and starvation takes over the person's life. Their day is based on the number they see on the scale or how many calories they consume in a day.

Statistics-
*90% of anorectics are women
*The age of oneset is usually 12-18 years
*.5-1% of teens develop anorexia nervosa
*Up to 20% may die.

Why? There is not yet a clear reason why someone develops an eating disorder. Genetics and personality may play a role. For example, the anorectic is usually the helpful and eager to please child that is insecure about herself and her own abilities. A person with an already low self-esteem is more prone to develop anorexia than one with a normal to high self-esteem. Anorexia is often a coping method used to protect oneself from past events, current situations, or things that they would rather not think about. These conflicts MUST be delt with in therapy before someone can begin the process of recovery.

Many people associate anorexia with a severly emaciated person that eats absolutely nothing. This is not the case. One can be just as anorexic at 120 pounds as they can at 60 Weight is not what matters; it is the state of mind that makes one anorexic.

Sure, anyone can read about anorexia and be familiar with the causes, symptoms, etc, but they will never truly know what it FEELS like. Imagine this: Some days, it seems like there will be no tomorrow. Whatever food you do consume, sends you into a state of guilt and self-hatred. No matter how popular and well-liked you are, you still feel worthless. Everywhere you go, you compare yourself to the other women around. Is she thinner or fatter? It is a continuous cycle that not only hurts the physical, but also the spiritual and emotional.

On to info on Bulimia..

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Ellie

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help4eds@yahoo.com

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Page Updated Sun Aug 12, 2001 11:20pm EDT