The Lie in the Mirror

The Lie in the Mirror
Some of the most rapidly growing disorders in the United States are eating disorders; some might wonder why, as do a lot of others. This page is a resource page for those would like to know more about eating disorders, more specifically anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. 
Anorexia nervosa is an emotional disorder, which causes an obsessive desire to loose weight and not eat. Bulimia nervosa is also an emotional disorder which causes an obsession to loose weight and overeat followed by an onset of depression and self-purging and vomiting. Both disorders are recognized medical conditions that cause the mind to distort one’s body image. The mental aspect as well as the genetic aspect of these disorders is what mainly causes their development, other environmental factors will help to trigger them as well.
When discussing the genetic aspect of these disorders; one must be aware that like most other diseases and disorders, there is a part of your genetic composition (DNA), that is predisposed to either inherit or bypass a specific gene for certain types of medical conditions. For example; when doctors ask what your medical history is, they are asking for a reason and this reason is if something such as Cancer runs in your family, then you are more likely to develop Cancer than someone else whom Cancer does not run in their family. The same can be said for anorexia and bulimia; and this is a fact that not many people know about, and it is one of the most important elements in understanding, helping and coping with someone who is experiencing these disorders. If one cannot understand that these disorders are not things that people choose to have rather they are things that simply develop within them; then they will never be able to begin to help the healing process take place.
Aside from understanding the genetic composition of these disorders, one must also understand the mental aspect and what the genetic aspect actually does to the human body. When people suffer from such disorders, they do have an overwhelming desire to loose weight, but they also cannot control what they see when they look at themselves. It must be said that even if you understand the predisposition to developing these disorders, it is much more difficult to understand the mental aspect. When someone suffering from these disorders looks at themselves in the mirror, they do not see what the rest of the world sees; their minds play tricks on them causing them to feel as though they must loose weight in order to be accepted. The problem that most people have when they know someone who is experiencing these disorders is that they cannot simply understand how they look into a mirror and do not see what is really there. In this lies the biggest problem. Because as healthy people, it is  nearly impossible to relate to the problem, so one will simply insist that there is no problem, when in actuality there is. (Imagine trying to understand someone with multiple personality disorder, it is very much the same.)

When the Lie Consumes You...

When the Lie Consumes You...
For those that do not get treatment, or for those who do not recognize that they have a problem until it is too late the end can come quickly. Eating disorders walk hand-in-hand with depression, mixed with the self-destructive behaviors of those who suffer, it can be a recipe for disaster. Most people who suffer from these disorders begin to feel suicidal and have been known to not only attempt to kill themselves, but succeed. The urge to commit suicide is generally higher in anorexic nervosa sufferers. 
It is important that if one were to notice a friend or family member beginning to fall into bad habits of not eating, eating and going leaving the room soon after, excessive exercise, having a thin appearance, bloating, reoccurring fatigue, dizziness or fainting, thinning or breaking hair, dry skin,  or frequently being cold, act immediately. Don't be afraid to be a friend and let the person know that they have a friend, someone who cares and someone who notices a change in them, then try to urge them to go to the doctor. 

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Newspaper & Magazine Articles

Kershaw, Sarah. "Starving Themselves, Cocktail in Hand." The New York Times. 2, March 2008. 
 This article discusses new terms of  eating disorders arising among today's society that have direct relationship with anorexia and bulimia and college-aged students, (mainly women). These words are: Manorexia, Orthorexia, Diabulimia, and Drunkorexia; while none of these terms are recognized by any medical organizations, they are raising questions and concerns to medical experts. The main idea is that girls will starve themselves all day and then drink alcohol either as their main source of sustenance for the day; this is more common for those who suffer from anorexia. Those who suffer from bulimia will tend to binge drink then binge on food and then proceed to purge; the idea that the drinking relieves the reservations about their disorders which permits them to eat and drink. The article is very informational on many different types of new eating disorder crazes and has a lot to offer in terms of interest and knowledge. 

Hummel, Debbie, The Associated Press. "Study Links Hair to Eating Disorders". USA Today. 17, October 2006. 
This article discusses the possibility of testing for eating disorders by using strands of hair, similar to the drug testing process. It is said to be a very beneficial opportunity if it turns out to be effective because it will be able to catch the disorder in its earlier stages rather than later once it is fully onset. The biggest positive factor in this style of testing is that it will test for eating disorders in those who may not know that they are ill, or who are secretive about their disorder. Those who suffer from these disorders have a very impaired sense of self-evaluation, and therefore may not truly believe that he or she is suffering from any type of disorder or illness at all. For this reason it would be convenient for a doctor who notices a change or sees symptoms occurring could simply conduct a hair sample and determine a diagnosis. 

Kingsbury, Mathleen. "Suicidal Anorexics: Determined to Die?" TIME Magazine. 28, February 2008.
This article discusses the severity of anorexia nervosa and its consequences; death. The article brings up the same point that most other references to eating disorders brings up, which is the high morality rate that directly correlates with those who suffer from eating disorders. The suicidal factor of these disorders is the extreme, and these suicidal tendencies are stronger in anorexics than any other type of eating disorder. The belief used to be that anorexic suicides were cries for help gone wrong, and the idea was that any attempt to kill oneself would be successful simply because of the malnutrition of the body. Recent studies have proved otherwise; anorexics most commonly attempt to kill themselves in effective ways, that could kill anyone, ways such as: toxic digestion, jumping in front of moving trains, and setting themselves on fire. Their choice in death is exactly a choice, it is not an attempt and they use the most extreme and effective ways to fulfill their desire for death. This article is very interesting, informative, and terrifying; a very good source of information about the severity of eating disorders. 

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