Description:
Basically anorexia and bulimia develop when a people�s behaviours around food and weight preoccupation increase to a level that becomes obsession, and all of their thoughts are determined by what they have or have not eaten (Friedman, 2000). Food and weight preoccupation are used to deal with feelings that are too painful such as, insecurity, loneliness, anger, need and sexuality, or to deal with feelings and emotional conflict that these people feel they cannot express or resolve (Friedman, 2000). In essence it seems that it is a maladaptive coping strategy.
Anorexia: This disorder usually occurs in girls between the ages or 12-25 years (Pipher, 1995). Usually people with anorexia begin their disorder with a diet and the simple desire to lose in response to a crisis, suggestion from a friend, or a need to do something to feel better about themselves (Pipher, 1995). Restricting the intake of food serves to relieve feelings of inadequacy, worry, anxiety and other negative feelings, and instead of dealing with these feelings those with anorexia equate them with feeling fat. Therefore, by denying hunger they feel in control and believe that losing weight will make them feel better (Levenkron, 2000).
Bulimia: The causes and the process for developing bulimia is similar to anorexia, except that those with bulimia tend to have more obsessional personalities (Pipher, 1995). Usually when people with bulimia start to diet in order to lose some weight they become so hungry that they feel out of control. This leads them to binge, or eat large quantities of food, which makes them feel guilty so they purge, or get rid of their food by vomiting, taking laxatives, diuretics or exercising for long periods of time. It is through purging that it is believed they release their negative or unexpressed feelings (Levenkron, 2000). This cycle becomes the way for them to deal with their feelings. Soon bingeing and purging takes up their whole day and they become to rely on it to live and they cannot eat anything without feeling guilty and purging (Pipher, 1995).
