Eating Disorders – Do They Rule Your Life?
Many people worry about their weight in some way. Some have an incredibly hard time losing weight while others have a hard time gaining weight. There is an ideal weight from every person based on height, body structure, and other factors. There are three types of eating disorders that gain psychological interest and research. These disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating.
According to Webster’s Dictionary the definitions for the three disorders are listed below:
Anorexia nervosa is “a serious disorder in eating behavior primarily of young women in their teens and early twenties that is characterized especially by a pathological fear of weight gain leading to faulty eating patterns, malnutrition, and usually excessive weight loss”
Binge Eating Disorder (Photo credit: Alaina Abplanalp Photography)
Bulimia nervosa is “a serious eating disorder that occurs chiefly in females, is characterized by compulsive overeating usually followed by self-induced vomiting or laxative or diuretic abuse, and is often accompanied by guilt and depression —called bulimia nervosa”
Binge eating is “an eating disorder characterized by recurring episodes of binge eating accompanied by a sense of lack of control and often negative feelings about oneself but without intervening periods of compensatory behavior (as self-induced vomiting, purging by laxatives, fasting, or prolonged exercise)”
By looking at me one would never believe I have struggled before with bulimia. For many years I would binge and purge. After I sought out a counselor who helped me overcome the purging I struggled just with binging gaining 50 pounds in a year. I am now overweight because I have gone from one extreme to another not just binging and not purging. I have struggled with food for many years and this year is the first year I feel like a changed woman. The turning point for me was when I decided to meet with a nutritionist and a personal trainer. I now work out a lot and am able to see food differently than I ever have.
Some people may require psychological help with overcoming these disorders. Seeing a therapist really helped me. As I searched online I found several different approaches. One is called Cognitive-behavioral therapy. This is a very vague term but when dealing with eating disorders the center of this therapy is to realize that whatever we think is causing our ideas and behaviors. It is not an external problem, but the problem is in our thoughts. This could mean tapping into ones past if it involved traumatic experiences.
Another therapy is called interpersonal psychotherapy. This treatment is divided into three parts. The first part is to identify the root of the problem for each participant. Secondly the therapist must determine the patient’s level of interpersonal functioning. And lastly the therapist should really try to see the person in their natural environment.
There is no shame in treatment of any kind for these serious eating disorders. Many treatments involve having a strong support group with family and friends helping to keep the participant accountable. Really getting a hold of one’s thought life is essential in being able to overcome eating disorders.
Related articles
- Let’s Talk About Binge Eating Disorder!! (inspired-weightloss.com)
- Eating Disorders and Depression (webmd.com)
- February is Eating Disorder Awareness Month (drdeborahserani.blogspot.com)
- Do women with bulimia have both an eating disorder and a weight disorder? (eurekalert.org)
- Family Dinner Without Tears (psychologytoday.com)
- A burst from the blue – is bulimia nervosa really a modern disease? (wellcometrust.wordpress.com)
- Will Health Reform Provide Coverage For Eating Disorders? (thinkprogress.org)
This is an important subject area with all the hype in the media over “being a perfect weight.” It seems that self (and others) perception of our outward appearance is such a big deal in this society.
You wrote: “There is no shame in treatment of any kind for these serious eating disorders. ” This is so true. Even today there is a stigma associated with any kind of treatment dealing with mental conditions. I’m very impressed that you have shared this with us and I wish you success in your endeavors.
I applaud your honesty in sharing such a personal experience. It sounds like even today you are still working on overcoming the way you think and feel about food. It was a good idea to give the links that explain the different types of therapy, and let people know that they can rise above these disorders that can become life threatening if left unchecked.
Not only is there a stigma attached to getting help, but I think there’s one surrounding the disorders themselves. Especially since the solutions seem easy to someone who doesn’t have this disorder: Just stop throwing up (to a bulemic) Eat a hamburger (to an anorexic). It’s easy to ignore the underlying issue (the person’s cognitive behavioral patterns) and just think they’re doing it for attention they’re simply stubborn.
I agree with you Todd, people care greatly about what others think of their outside appearance. They want to look like the sexy models on TV and Magazines but what they don’t realize is that many times they are just hurting themselves. And sadly this is still going on.
There are many individuals who suffer from eating disorders. I agree, that the media has been a major contributing factor in why people feel that this is the most effective way to lose weight. I believe that individuals who have an eating disorder want to fit in, they want to look like that attractive person on T.V., and it’s ashamed that there are individuals out there that can not be happy with just being themselves.
It makes me sad that people go through these eating disorders. I really think that a lot of it has to do with society telling us what is perfect. People come in different shapes and sized who are we to tell them that they are not acceptable in society.It was very brave of you to share your experience with us.