What are Eating Disorders?
Her Royal Highness, the Princess of Wales spoke of the anguish of
eating disorders when, at the international conference, Eating Disorders
93, she said: "From early childhood many had felt they were expected
to be perfect but didn't feel they had a right to express their true
feelings to those around them - feelings of guilt, of self-revulsion and
low personal esteem, creating in them a compulsion to 'dissolve like a
Disprin' and disappear. The illness they developed became their shameful
friend."
Eating disorders develop as outward signs of inner emotional or
psychological problems. They become the way that people cope with
difficulties in their life. Eating, or not eating, is used to help block
out painful feelings. Without appropriate help and treatment, eating
problems may persist throughout life.
Eating disorders are complex illnesses where both the disturbed eating
pattern as well as the psychological aspects need to be treated. Restoring
a regular eating pattern plus a balanced diet is needed for balanced
nutrition. Helping someone come to terms with the underlying emotional
issues enables them to cope with difficulties in a way that is not harmful
to them.
Who gets an Eating Disorder? : - Anyone can develop an eating disorder,
regardless of age, race, sex or background. However, young women are most
vulnerable, particularly between the ages of 15-25 years.
Research suggests that a person's genetic make up may make them more
likely to develop an eating disorder. As well as biological reasons, a key
person - a parent or relative, for instance - may adversely influence
other family members through his or her attitudes to food. In situations
where there are high academic expectations or social pressures, a person
may focus on food and eating as a way of coping with these stresses.
Traumatic events can trigger anorexia or bulimia nervosa: bereavement,
being bullied or abused, upheaval in the family (such as divorce) or
concerns over being gay or lesbian. Someone with another long-term illness
or disability - for instance, diabetes, manic depression or deafness –
may also experience eating problems.
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Conventional
Treatment
Eating disorders are serious illnesses and often require specialist
medical care, not only for the physical problems but also for the
psychological difficulties that cause such unhappiness and trauma.
However, with illnesses like anorexia or bulimia nervosa, the person
must themselves want to get better before help can be really effective.
People with eating disorders often have mixed feelings about 'giving up'
their illness. This is because their eating habits have become a way of
coping with their profound emotional problems.
There are a variety of ways in which people can be treated. Recovery is
not easy but it is certainly possible. A patient may be offered a
combination of different forms of therapy, such as: Counselling
Self-help and support groups, psychotherapy, drama or arts therapy.
Therapy sessions that involve the family or small groups of patients
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Other
Eating Disorders
Conditions as complex as eating disorders inevitably mean that there
are variations in the typical signs described in this leaflet, and not all
symptoms will apply to all people. For instance, a woman with anorexia may
have irregular or normal periods; bulimic episodes may be very infrequent.
These cases will be classified as 'partial syndrome' eating disorders.
Some variations are much more distinct, such as 'chew and spit' behaviour,
when a person chews food and spits it out - rather than swallowing –
large amounts of food. Another example is regurgitation when food is
swallowed and is then brought back up into the mouth for re-chewing. Some
people eat non-foods, such as paper tissues, to fill themselves up without
the calorific intake.
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Eating Disorders in
Today’s World
We live in an era when our image and how we are seen by friends and
colleagues can seem to dominate daily life. Alongside this is a national
pre-occupation with food and diet. We are bombarded with visions and
advice on how to become a 'perfect shape'. As a consequence, eating
disorders are in the public eye to an extent that would have been
unthinkable 20 years ago. This has created some myths and
misunderstandings. Many people have a false impression of how someone with
an eating disorder will look and behave.
Eating disorders are on the increase with more and more people seeking
help and support. It is vital that people are aware of their existence,
importance and dangers.
Research has shown that recognising an eating disorder at an early
stage, followed by appropriate treatment and support, will result in a
much better chance of recovery. Increasing knowledge and understanding of
eating disorders, as well as reducing any stigma and blame are essential
in reducing the incidence of these potentially life-threatening illnesses.
Source:
Eating Disorders Association
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