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. 

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Statistical Sources

The Surgeon General. The U.S. Public Health Service. Mental Health: A Report of the Surgeon General, Chapter 3: Other Mental Disorders in Children and Adolescents: Eating Disorders. Prepared by the Department of Health and Human Services Administration. 7 June 2008. 
This publication discusses mental health in its entirety, and is broken into segments based on each mental illness and discusses each one in depth. Because both anorexia and bulimia are actually considered mental disorders, this publication is very useful because it not only explains eating disorders, but also explains other disorders that could play a part in the development of eating disorders such as anxiety disorder. States that anorexia has a 5.6% morality rate per decade or .56% per year. The morality rate for anorexia is 12 times higher than that for other young women in the population. Eating disorders have a mean age of onset at 17 years, and those who have these disorders have a limited response to treatment. This publication will help to understand the larger picture of the severity of these disorders. 

Something Fishy, Website on Eating Disorders. How Long does Recovery Take? Poll taken 2 October 2003 - 3 November 2003. 7 June 2008. 
This is a website that is fully dedicated to the spread of information about eating disorders, remembrance of those who have passed, warning of signs and symptoms, reaching out for recovery, associated dangers, finding treatment, cultural issues, doctors, prevention and causes, online support, sharing of stories, and updated news as well as related links. The poll asked  a total of 1748 people the question, "If you are recoverED, how long did it take? If you are in recovery or still suffering, how long do you think recovery takes?" The responses show that 42% are still suffering, 43% are in recovery, and only 15% are actually recovered. Pf those who were still in recovery or suffering, 0% said days, 1% said weeks, 10% months, 60% said years, 16% said definitely over 10 years, and 13% were not sure how long it would take. This is just one of many interesting polls taken about eating disorders, other interesting polls include: prevalence of depression in eating disorders, getting accurate information about eating disorders, and media impact on body image. 

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