Anorexia

Do I have Anorexia?

Anorexia nervosa (anorexia) is characterized by significant weight loss due to an intentional cessation or decrease in eating. Anorexia can manifest itself in many ways, often leaving the afflicted feeling fat, regardless of actual physique.  Clinical diagnosis examines the following criteria:

• An irrational fear of weight gain, or 'becoming fat', usually when the individual is underweight.

• The individual perpetually seeks to lower his/her bodyweight, despite being normal or underweight.

• A body mass index (BMI) of less than 17.5.

• Altered reality in the individual's self perception relating specifically to weight, shape and size.

• Denial of problem, despite clear physical symptoms (bones protruding, amenorrhea, lanugo, etc.).

• If female subject is in reproductive years, the absence of menstruation for three consecutive months.​

Psychological Symptoms:

The psychological state of an anorexic involves feelings of inadequacy, the desire for approval and acceptance, and a highly critical self image.  While under the influence of anorexia (which has often been described as an inner-voice) the victim lives with perpetual negativity, degradation, and reprimands, inflicted by inner-voice.

Who it effects:

Though the percentage of males with eating disorders is estimated to be lower than females, it is still important to know males aren’t immune. 10-15% of those diagnosed with Anorexia or Bulimia are male. The remaining percent about 85-90% of anorexics are women, and about 1% of all women have anorexia.  Symptoms have been observed from pre-pubescence until well into 50's, 60's and beyond.  There is no definitive reason for the onset of anorexia, although genetics are believed to lend susceptibility, allowing for a mix of societal, emotional, and psychological factors to inflict damage.  It is believed by many practitioners that anorexia more often afflicts those females who are shy, helpful, sensitive, benevolent, and intelligent.

Treatment

Treatment of anorexia can only begin after the afflicted individual has resolved to get better.  Upon firm resolution for recovery, the victim must seek the services of a qualified counsellor, and use those services in regular conjunction with a medical doctor.  It is also advised for family members to seek counselling as well to in order to learn how to aid in the recovery process.  There are myriad treatment options available.

**If medical attention is needed - immediately seek the care of medical professionals in your area.**

Do I have BED (Binge Eating Disorder)?

Binge eating disorder or BED is characterized by uncontrollable eating, followed by feelings of guilt and shame.  While individuals who are overweight do not necessarily have BED, it is important to note that BED requires remorse or guilt about the quantity of food consumed.  This is not to suggest that every Thanksgiving we all contract BED.   It is characterized by the following:

• Binge eating, with an awareness that the eating pattern is abnormal;

• Depression;

• Fear of an inability to cease food consumption;

• Self deprecating feelings after binges;

• On average, bingeing occurs two days a week, over 6 months.

Physical Symptoms:

The physical symptoms of BED can be none, or many.  Most victims are overweight, and can experience weight fluctuations of 10-15lbs.  You may observe the individual to be withdrawn and secretive, consume little food publicly despite weight gain, among others.  Mose with BED are "always dieting", and hop from one fad diet to the next.  They limit their public activities to allay embarrassment, and can experience depression due to their condition.

Emotional Symptoms:

BED takes an emotional toll on the victim, often described as a shame spiral.  Poor self image leads the individual to overeat, which compounds the self image problem, repeating the loop iteratively without exit.  Those afflicted feel that by being thinner they will be better regarded by society, and as such they fixate on their weight perpetually, resulting in much self abuse.

Psychological Symptoms:

Psychologically, BED causes feelings of inadequacy and isolation.  The biochemical effect of eating sates their emotional need remporarily, yet upsets the long-term objective of the individual, causing a shame spiral.  BED is often a lengthy disease, and requires therapy intensively at first to get rid of behaviours, and then periodically to prevent recurrence.

Who it effects:

BED can affect anyone, at any time in their life.  1-4% of the population has reported symptoms of BED, and the statistics include a substantial portion of males.  BED has been witnessed running in families, which may be correlated to genetic dispositions, but more likely is due to an overemphasis on food and an edible rewards system within a household.

Treatment

Treatment for BED involves therapy not just to counter tendencies to overeat and to reward oneself with food, but also to treat the underlying emotional issues.  Often the individuals require an outlet for emotional expression, or need to find other ways to reward themselves.  Treatment consists of counselling in a regular conjunction with a medical doctor.  It is also advised for family members to seek counselling as well to learn how to aid in the recovery progress.  There are myriad treatment options available.

**If medical attention is needed - immediately seek the care of medical professionals in your area.**

Do I have Bulimia?

Bulimia is characterized by bingeing, or eating relatively large amounts of food in a short time.  The binge is followed by a purge or a desired purge, which is an attempt to rid the body of the food.   Purges, as commonly thought, do not only manifest in vomiting, rather purges can take place through laxatives, over exercise, etc...  Binges are often diagnosed by the following criteria:

• Awareness that binge eating is detrimental or abnormal;

• Binge eating and purging ar least 2x weekly for three months;

• Fear of not being able to cease food consumption voluntarily;

• Depression (manic or otherwise);

• Self-disparaging thoughts following bingeing activity;

• Self image is often negative, with overly critical self impression;

• Repeated attempt at weight loss through unhealthy methods (laxatives, excessive exercise, illicit drugs, dehydration, etc..)

Physical Symptoms:

Bulimia can be quite difficult to stratify as standard physical symptoms.  Any or all of the following may be present, although physical symptoms may never be readily visible:  weight swings of 10-15 lbs; secretive activity, particularly after meals and when others are expected not to enter the kitchen; puffy, swollen eyes; and for those who vomit, yellowing/browning teeth, especially on the posterior, and swollen glands.

Emotional Symptoms:

Bulimics often use bingeing as a means to feel sated in an emotional/psychological sense, yet this manifests in food consumption.  Bulimics often describe their need to binge as the need to feel full, and the need to purge as the need to regain control over the body's appearance.  Bulimia is more common in stressful situations like transitional events, or in hardship and grieving.

Psychological Symptoms:

The psychological state of an anorexic involves feelings of inadequacy, the desire for approval and acceptance, and a highly critical self image.  While under the influence of anorexia (which has often been described as an inner-voice) the victim lives with perpetual negativity, degradation, and reprimands, inflicted by inner-voice.

Who it effects:

Bulimia was previously associated with adolescent girls, but this disease has ballooned to include larger ratios of women in their 40's and 50's as well.  It can affect anyone, but its onset has been positively correlated with transitional events, like divorce, going off to university, and other instances where a decreased network of support is available.

Treatment

Treatment of bulimia can begin only after the afflicted individual has resolved to get better.  Upon firm resolution for recovery, the victim must seek the services of a qualified counsellor, and use those services in regular conjunction with a medical doctor.  It is also advised for family members to seek counselling as well to learn how to aid in the recovery process.  There are a myriad of treatment options available -- check the finding treatment section for treatment options near you.

**If medical attention is needed - immediately seek the care of medical professionals in your area.**

Physical Symptoms:

Obesity can be characterized by excessive fat storage.  Some people store fat in conspicuous places, like their face or arms, yet are not necesarily obese.  Obesity results when the strain from carrying and storing excessive fat becomes burdensome and detrimental to the individual.

Emotional Symptoms:

Obesity does not necessarily have emotional symptoms, although it frequently results in shame, depression, self lamenting thoughts, and a withdrawal from public activities. Society's obsession with thinness has ostracized the obese, which can cause feelings of rejection, isolation, and loneliness.

Psychological Symptoms:

Psychologically, obesity can cause a downward spiral if left untreated.  Those afflicted eat to reward or psychologically sate themselves, which is often a need resulting from their perceived isolation from society, thus continuing a downward spiral.

Obesity tends to run in families, but that is not to suggest that it cannot be treated.  Despite varying bone structures (endomorphic, mesomorphic, ectomorphic), almost all humans are capable of maintaining a healthy body weight - those that are not are treated by medical professional for other conditions.  Obesity is rapidly rising in Westernized countries, which has been attributed to fast food ingredients and quantities, but can be further attributed to excessive starches, sugars, carbohydrates and food additives.

Treatment for obesity involves therapy not just to counter tendencies to overeat and to reward oneself with food, but also to treat the underlying emotional issues.  Often the individuals require an outlet for emotional expression, or need to find other ways to reward themselves.  Treatment consists of counselling , in regular conjunction with a medical doctor.  It is also advised for family members to seek counselling as a well to learn how to aid in the recovery process.  There are a myriad of treatment options available.

**If medical attention is needed - immediately seek the care of medical professionals in your area.**