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Eating disorders are much more complex and deadly than most people realize. Eating disorders are psychological problems that are closely associated with depression and low self-esteem. Here are some myths and realities about these dreaded disorders.
- MYTH: Only teenage girls suffer from eating disorders.
- FACT: Often eating disorders being in the teen years, but older men and women also experience this disorder.
- MYTH: You can never fully recover from an eating disorder.
- FACT: Recovery can happen but it takes a long time and hard work and the proper treatment.
- MYTH: You cannot die from bulimia.
- FACT: Bulimics are at a high risk for dying, especially if they are purging, using laxatives and doing excessive exercise.
- MYTH: Compulsive eating is not an eating disorder.
- FACT: It is very much an eating disorder and is just as serious as anorexia and bulimia.
- MYTH: You can always tell someone is anorexic by his or her appearance.
- FACT: Not all have an extreme appearance. Some may be 5 to 15 pounds underweight and may look thin, but they do not have the emaciated look that their health is in danger.
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There are three distinct types of eating disorders:
Bulimia Nervosa:
The bulimic eats compulsively eats and then to prevent weight gain, purges by self-induced vomiting, diuretics, laxatives, fasting, extreme exercise, and strict dieting.
Anorexia Nervosa:
This is an excessive drive to be ultra thin by deliberately starving themselves in such a way that they become malnourished. Laxatives and/or diuretics are abused. If not treated, this disease can be fatal.
Compulsive Overeating:
Unable to control their intake of food, compulsive overeaters are constantly striving to lose weight by various diets and programs. There may be some success, but if they are truly compulsive overeaters, they eventually regain the weight and may gain even more. They may also suffer such medical problems as hypertension and diabetes.
Other characteristics of eating disorders are:
- Guilt or shame
- Eating when you are not hungry
- Personality change from outgoing to withdrawn
- Depression
- Hoarding, concealing, crumbling or throwing away
food
- Menstrual irregularities
- Rigidity with what they will eat
Even the rich and famous have done battle with this disorder. Depending on your age, you may or may not remember Karen Carpenter. She and her brother made beautiful music together and one of their famous songs was “Close to you.” Karen died from complications from anorexia nervosa. Go to this link and read her story:
http://home1.pacific.net.sg/~hungster/report.htm
It may change the way you view this disorder.
The good news is that recovery is possible and a long journey. This project will illustrate more about the disorder and discuss ways to get help.
Support & Resources
Helping Hands
Over Eaters Anonymous
Hugs Support
Overcoming Overeating
Eating Disorder Referral & Information Center
Eating Disorders Resources
Eating Disorders & Food Addiction
Approaching Someone You Suspect Has an Eating Disorder
Dads & Daughters
Support, Information and Friendship
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This TLC Committee project was made possible by
our TLC Committee Leader, Nick
and the many contributions and ideas of the
TLC Committee members.
Thanks to each one of you!
Web pages: zack
Background set: Friendpoet
Links/URL Research: Anne, Lainey,
Eddy, Melissa, Debra, Vicky, Belinda, Fan, Gramma Nancy, Nobie, Friendpoet, Lady Karlynn
Graphics:
Lainey, Melissa, Debra, Vicky, Belinda, Anne
Ideas/Contributions: Friendpoet, Lady Karlynn, Anne, Debra, Vicky
Poems/Stories/Essays: Friendpoet, Lady Karlynn
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