Eating disorders are the result of the emotions and thinking patterns of the people with the disorders.
Many people with eating disorders have low self-esteem, feelings of helplessness, and a fear of becoming fat. Often, their eating habits are a way of coping with stress and anxiety.
People with anorexia tend to do very well in school, sports, work, and other activities. Often, they try to be perfect. They may stop eating to feel like they have control in some area of their lives. People with bulimia often eat large amounts of food to reduce stress and anxiety.
Eating disorders also may have physical causes. Eating disorders may be fostered by changes in hormones that control mood, appetite, thinking, and memory.
Most people with eating disorders share certain traits such as a fear of becoming fat, feelings of not measuring up to other people's expectations, or feeling helpless. Some people with eating disorders feel they have to be perfect in every way—having a perfect body, getting perfect grades, and being an excellent athlete. People who suffer from eating disorders may be depressed or feel they lack control over their lives. Sometimes, they also feel like they don't fit in or don't belong. Often, the problems begin when a person is dealing with a difficult transition, shock, or loss.
How it damages body and mind?
Girls with eating disorders can do major damage to their bodies. Restricting what you eat can make you sick—like feeling nauseous, tired, dizzy, or irritable. If this behavior goes on too long, it can mess up your menstrual cycle, dry out your hair and skin, and might even cause early osteoporosis—a disease of the bones. The physical consequences can become life threatening.
But the physical problems are only half the story. The emotional problems can be serious too. An unhealthy attitude about food and body image is the main problem. Some girls use food to make themselves feel better; others stop eating to feel like they are "in control" of their life. Both behaviors leave people feeling bad about what they are eating. And worst of all, the more people begin to obsess over what they are eating (or not eating), the less they care about other things—like school, friends, or other activities.
Some symptoms of anorexia nervosa include:
Fatigue Dry skin
Vomiting Diarrhea and constipation
Infrequent or no menstrual periods
5- 20% of anorexics die from heart, kidney, or organ failure. Even an illness like pneumonia can cause death because ones' body dose not have the ability to fight infection.
Girls often experiment with different ways to lose as much weight as possible or to keep their weight down. Here are some examples of unsafe methods girls use to control their weight:
Diuretics (or water pills) make your body lose water but also important nutrients. In extreme cases, this can cause heart problems.
Laxatives can cause stomachaches and cramps as well as other serious problems to your digestive system. Laxatives can become habit-forming.
Self-induced vomiting, even once in a while, can pop blood vessels in your face and swell up your neck glands. Because your food isn't being digested right, you may suffer stomachaches, constipation, heartburn, or diarrhea. Also, repeated vomiting can ruin your teeth and give you cavities.
Diet pills can cause your heart to beat faster and make you jittery. They also are habit-forming. Once they wear off, you become hungry and want to eat, so you reach for another pill to control your appetite.
Serious over exercising is another unhealthy way some people control their weight. Exercising for long periods of time when it is not part of a program (like with your school coach) is not smart. Over exercising will make you feel tired and increase your chance of injuries.
Read it up you Obesophobias.
