What are eating disorders?
Most people with eating disorders are often troubled with concerns of appearing overweight or unactively attractive. Eating disorders have to do with food, weight, vanity or willpower, but their severity potentially endangers life and mental health. Most eating disorders occur when a person has distortions in thoughts and emotions related to the image of their body or misconceptions persistent with weight and appearance. This disorder is more common in women than in men. The average age of onset in the disorder is between the ages of 18-20. This disorder is sometimes accompanied by anxiety, irritability or substance abuse problems. A person with an eating disorder can go through a wide range of physical and psychological health problems. Eating disorders often occur combined with depression, anxiety and substance use. Serious health consequences include severe malnutrition, brain death and heart or kidney failure.
Symptoms of an eating disorder:
- Excessive diet, fasting, excess in daily calorie accounting, avoid groups.
- Signs of bingeing.
- Vomiting induction, excessive laxative use, bathing between meals.
- Changes in food, meats, and foods you used to enjoy, food binging. Behavior focused on your silhouette, sets new weight marks.
- Withdrawing social life and rejects activities previously enjoyed.
- Changes in menstruation, tooth discoloration due to vomiting.
- Extreme dissatisfaction with your body.
What can I do?
Seek professional help, there are treatments for eating disorders. Look for self-help strategies, read self-help and support books. Discuss options with a professional.
Useful Resources: ASSMCA (787-763-7575), Libros. MC Cabe, R. EMC Farlane, T.L and olmstead, M.P (200) overcoming bulimia. www.guze.com, www.proyectovision.net
