Let's consider the main questions on this topic.
What are eating disorders?
An eating disorder is an obsession with food and weight, which harms mental health and human well-being. Although we all sometimes worry about our weight, but people who have an eating disorder go to extremes to keep from gaining weight. There are two major eating disorders: anorexia and bulimia.
What is anorexia?
People who are sick with anorexia are completely absorbed in being skinny. They do not want to eat, and they are afraid of gaining weight. They can constantly worry about how many calories they consume, or how much fat is in their food. They can take diet pills, laxatives or water pills to lose weight. They can train too much. People who have anorexia usually think they are complete even though they are actually very thin. These people can become so thin that everyone around will think that they are sick. Anorexia requires treatment in a hospital. The main thing in the treatment of anorexia is working with a psychologist.
What is bulimia?
With bulimia, a person eats a large amount of food and immediately tries to get rid of it with the help of artificially induced vomiting, or uses laxatives to remove food from the body (this method is called cleaning). After gluttony, some bulimics are intensively engaged in various types of aerobics, fitness, to keep from gaining weight. Usually, with bulimia, a person is in a constant sense of hunger, it seems to him that he can eat as many different foods as he likes. People who have bulimia can also use water pills, laxatives or diet pills to "manage" their weight. People who have bulimia often try to hide their overeating and cleansing. People who are ill with bulimia are usually close to normal weight, but their weight can quickly change up and down.
What are the causes of eating disorders?
mostly these are psychological reasons. Possible causes include feeling lonely, fat and ugly, or feeling that you need to be "under control." Society also encourages people to be thin. This pressure can also contribute to the development of eating disorders.
Did you know?
8 million or more people in the United States are struggling with eating disorders and 90% of them are women. Victims of an eating disorder can be either poor or rich. Eating disorders usually begin in adolescents, but can already begin to manifest in children aged 8 years.
What can happen when trying to be slim?
It's great when you watch what you eat and train your body. But it's wrong to eat when you're always worried about weight and about what you eat. People who have eating disorders do bad things with their bodies because of their obsession with being overweight. If this is not stopped, anorexia can cause the following health problems: digestive problems, heart problems, irregular periods of the month, excess hair on all parts of the body, including face, dry, scaly skin, kidney and teeth problems.
Is it possible to treat eating disorders?
Yes. For people who have anorexia, the first step is to return to normal weight. If a person is poorly nourished or very thin, they can put him on treatment in a hospital. He will be offered also, he will ask for help from a dietitian doctor to find out how to choose healthy foods and eat right. For both types of sick people who have anorexia and bulimia, it is very important to support a family or loved one with whom one can consult. (Talk about your feelings, your weight and problems in your life).
What are the signs of an eating disorder?
There are such possible warning signs of anorexia and bulimia:
- Unnatural concern about body weight (even if a person does not weigh more than normal).
- An obsession with calories.
- Use of any medication to keep from gaining weight (diet pills, laxatives, water pills).
More serious warning signs are hard to notice because people who have a eating disorder problem keep it a secret.
Vomiting after meals.
- Full refusal to eat.
- Weakening of the body and apathy.
- Absence of monthly periods.
- Increased anxiety about weight.
- Bone blisters or scars on the joints.